PNicholls

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the readers of my column on what has been a rollercoaster season for Ditcheat. I hope you have enjoyed the ride here on Betfair with me.

When I look back, it has been one of the most frustrating - yet most enjoyable - seasons of my career.

But the overwhelming emotion is one of pride in the horses, and winning another trainers' championship.

For Kauto Star to come back and win the Betfair Chase and King George was remarkable, and many people sadly lost sight of the fact that Neptune Collonges' win in the Grand National was one of the best of all time, carrying so much weight and in such a fast time. And as an 11yo, too. It many ways that was the performance, and race, of the season.

And then there was Big Buck's' record-breaking season, and then the capturing the race I had always wanted, The Champion Hurdle, with Rock On Ruby.

And Saturday really was the icing on the cake, winning the two big Sandown races with Sanctuaire and the 11yo Tidal Bay.

We now have to plan for next season, with no Denman, Master Minded, and Neptune Collonges. And Clive will be making a decision on Kauto in the summer, I imagine.

So we could be without four household names and stable stars next season.

But Sanctuaire looked a real top-class two miler at the weekend, and we have to find more like him to contest the big races and take on Nicky, such as Silviniaco Conti.

We have some promising youngsters and impressive pointers coming through though, and I have already bought three really nice prospects from France.

And, as ever, there will be a lot more change in the stable, as we can normally expect a 25 per clear-out in the horses.

But a few staff have left us, too, and we are looking for new people to join the team as well.

So a new challenge, with new staff and new horses lies ahead.

Once again thanks for spending the season here with me on Betfair.