Wylie turns to Nicholls and Mullins as he cuts string to 20

Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, the respective British and Irish champion jumps trainers, will be the recipients of the select team of horses Graham Wylie plans to keep in training.

The move comes after the four-year ban from the sport imposed on Wylie’s principal trainer Howard Johnson, who subsequently announced his retirement, and the millionaire owner intends to drastically cut his string to just 20 horses.

Quwetwo, Ascendant, Doeslessthanme, Double Expresso, Hold Fast and The Knoxs had already joined Nicholls prior to Johnson’s suspension, and another seven, including 2008 Arkle hero Tidal Bay, will take their place in the team at Ditcheat.