Despite sitting some £200,000 clear of nearest rival Philip Hobbs at the top of the table and more than £800,000 ahead of Willie Mullins, Paul Nicholls feels retaining his British trainers title could be too big an ask if the Irish champion trainer enjoys the success expected at Cheltenham next month.

At a media day this week he said: “We’ve had a bit of a slow start, but then if I’ve had a slow start everybody must have had a slow start as I’m still £200,000 in front.