Four-timer adds weight to Nicholls' challenge

Paul Nicholls carried on where he left off at Ayr on Saturday when Zubayr, his first runner of the day, romped away with the Ridegway BMW Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton.

The four-year-old, the first of four runners for the Ditcheat handler at his local track, was returned at the prohibitive odds of 1-8 but never gave his supporters an anxious moment as he made amends for a poor show at Cheltenham.

The French import had been sent off 11-2 third-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle on the back of a smooth debut success in the Grade Two Adonis Hurdle at Kempton, but was well beaten behind Ivanovich Gorbatov.

However, Zubayr got back on track with a confidence-boosting win by eight lengths from the always-prominent Alphabet Bay in the hands of Nick Scholfield.

"I knew I ran him too quick at Cheltenham when I saw him in the paddock. We were hard on him and rushed to get ready for Kempton and he wasn't really right in his coat," Nicholls told Racing UK.

"He's done well since. This was a different race but he's had a nice run round and I expect you'll see him back here at Wincanton in the Elite Hurdle in November. It will be perfect for him."

After an Ayr four-timer, highlighted by Vicente's victory in the Scottish Grand National, Nicholls regained the lead in the trainers' title race from Willie Mullins, with the curtain coming down on the campaign at Sandown next weekend.

With the kitty boosted by £3,249 in this race, Nicholls extended his lead to £36,337.

Emerging Talent gave Nicholls a double when comfortably taking the Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Ridden by 5lb claimer Harry Cobden to offset some of his double penalty, the 5-6 favourite cruised into the lead after jumping two out from the pacesetting Bun Doran.

He just had to be pushed out to hold Kerrow by three lengths, with Bun Doran fading 20 lengths back into third.

The success was worth £3,573.90 to push Nicholls a little further clear of Mullins in the title battle.

Movewiththetimes (11-4) gave Nicholls a hat-trick when making a winning debut in division one of the Collects Points, Go Racing With Rewards4Racing Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The JP McManus-owned newcomer was delivered with precision by Sam Twiston-Davies to tackle Cruiseaweigh and come out on top by three-quarters of a length after a prolonged duel in the straight.

That win was worth £1,624.50 to the Nicholls prize tally, taking his lead over Mullins to £41,535.

Capitaine (7-4 favourite) gave Nicholls a 100 per cent record on the card from his four runners when getting off the mark at the second attempt in division two of the bumper.

Twiston-Davies, completing a quick double, stalked Minella For Me in the straight after Lets Go Dutchess had led for a long way, before going on to score from the former by 13 lengths.