THE past year has brought no sign of a changing of the guard among France’s fraternity of flat trainers. 73-year-old Andre Fabre is still very much at the height of his powers, in partnership with his wife, Elisabeth, and clocked up his 29th Championship.

A new name will appear on the Jump Trainers Championship trophy as François Nicolle has got the better of a superb duel with the 13-time champion, Guillaume Macaire.