David Nicholson joined an elite group who have both trained and ridden the winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup when Call It A Day claimed the big race at Sandown on Saturday.

Thirty one years after he steered jumping great Mill House to a memorable victory in racing's oldest sponsored event, he clinched the 42nd running of the race as Call It A Day defeated Fine Thyne.

The feat, previously only achieved by Josh Gifford and Stan Mellor, completed a rewarding eight days for Nicholson, who won the Scottish Grand National only a week ago.

At Ayr Nicholson had produced Baronet to carry stable-jockey Adrian Maguire, whose season had been blighted by injury, to an emotional success. And the pair continued their rich vein of form to round off the campaign with a five-length win over Fine Thyne with Eudipe third. Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Cool Dawn was pulled up after leading to the fifth-last fence.

"Winning this race 31 years ago on Mill House was the highlight of my career. The reception was unbelievable then and it was superb today," said Nicholson.

"To win a big race two Saturdays running is magic. I'm so pleased to see Adrian back firing and doing the job right. I thought the second was going to beat us at the second-last but Call It A Day stayed on very well.

"I hope his lad, Ralph Brown, runs as fast in the London Marathon tomorrow for stable-lads' charities."

Fine Thyne, off the track since December, looked to have Call It A Day's measure with two to jump but Maguire got the better response from his mount to pip Mick Fitzgerald, third on Belmont King at Ayr, for the second week running.

"My horse was very game, picked up at the last and was galloping all the way. Mick had a few words to say at the finish!" said Maguire.

"It's swings and roundabouts in racing and I get to meet the Queen Mother today after missing out when Viking Flagship won the Champion Chase!

"I've never considered packing in. I always try my heart out and never felt I was doing anything different, even when I was having a bad run."

Courteous surprised Paul Cole with a six-length victory in the Thresher Classic Trial that earned him a top-priced 40 to 1 quote for the Derby.

The race, a reliable Classic guide which has been won in the last 20 years by Troy, Henbit, Shergar, Shahrastani and saw Benny The Dip finish second last year, contained three Epsom entries.