The trainer who gives the big boys a run for their money

Racing’s New Year began well with the award of OBEs to both Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls, showing that they do get some things right at No. 10 and the palace. It would have been monstrous for either of our two best jumps trainers to have been left out when the other was honoured. We owe them both a lot, not just because of the great horses such as Kauto Star and Sprinter Sacre whose careers they have handled so adeptly but because of the impressive training talent they have nurtured. Nicky’s assistants have included Tom Symonds, Charlie Longsdon, Jamie Snowden and Ben Pauling while Paul has launched the careers of Dan Skelton and Harry Fry.

For once, though, Ascot’s card last Saturday was not dominated by the big two. Philip Hobbs, Somerset’s Mr Dependable, may not have the overall horsepower of Henderson or Nicholls but he knows what to do with the good ones he gets and the most scintillating performance so far this winter came from his Defi Du Seuil.