Trainer Paul Nicholls has announced today that he is to separate from his wife Bridget.
Nicholls, who sent out See More Business to win the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton last year, said in a statement to PA Sport: "As you know last season was our best ever but all this success did not come without its casualties.
"Over the last year, to my great regret and sadness, my marriage to Bridget has suffered and after months of discussion, pain and anxiety we are now separating.
"Throughout my career I have been grateful for the support of the press and in return have always sought to maintain a good working relationship with them.
"Bridget and I are intending to remain friends and I hope therefore that you will be able to respect our privacy at this difficult time.
"All my owners have been informed of his development and this is the only public statement I intend to make."
Ditcheat-based Nicholls, runner-up to Martin Pipe in last season's trainers' championship, was married on January 25th, 1991. He and Bridget have a daughter called Megan.
