Base: Tall Trees, Thirsk Classic wins: 0 2002 wins: 65 2001 wins: 50 2000 wins: 73 Main jockey: Adrian Nicholls, Alex Greaves

David "Dandy" Nicholls graduated to training after retiring from a successful career in the saddle, riding more than 400 winners.

The down-to-earth Yorkshireman has since established a reputation as one of the best trainers of sprinters in the business.

"The sprint king's" first Group One winner was in the five-furlong Nunthorpe Stakes in 1997 and he has made the six-furlong Ayr Gold Cup his own, winning it for the last three years.

He saddled the first two home in the six-furlong July Cup in 2002 with winner Continent going on to collect another Group One, the five-furlong Prix de l'Abbaye.

Nicholls had his best season in 2002, breaking through the �1m in prize money barrier for the first time.