Nicholls denied landmark success by ton-up Bowen Paul Nicholls had his record-breaking winner snatched from his grasp in dramatic circumstances as Pourquoi Pas Papa failed to last home after being gifted the lead by the last-fence fall of Spectacularsunrise at Cheltenham. The new best for the most British jumps winners appeared to have landed in the Ditcheat trainer’s lap when his four-year-old, backed into 3-1 joint-favouritism, was handed a three-length lead at the last in the WKD Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. But with the line in sight the petrol gauge immediately started flashing red as Sony Bill, trained by Faye Bramley and ridden by champion Sean Bowen, produced an irresistible surge to power home by six and a half lengths at 11-1. Victory delivered a 100th winner of the season for Bowen, who suggested his horse may well have won even if Spectacularsunrise had remained on his feet. “He was just flat out the whole way round, but he has a good attitude and kept responding and found plenty from the last. I don’t know what would have happened with the horse falling, but he did hit the line very well,” said Bowen. “To get a hundred already is good going, I keep saying it though – I’d like to be in Harry Skelton’s position, he’s obviously had an incredible start to the season. “But when you’ve ridden a hundred winners by mid-November, that’s not bad going and I’ll carry on (chasing Skelton down), don’t you worry!” Local trainer Fergal O’Brien posted his 51st Cheltenham success when promising five-year-old Get Out Of My Way landed the mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle at 100-30 by two and a half lengths from 7-4 favourite Wolf Rayet. “We had big hopes for him at the beginning of the season so sometimes it is nice when these things happen and we are really pleased,” said the Gloucestershire-based trainer. “He has been a lovely horse to train. Jack Hogan gave him a lovely ride and the horse travelled through the race really well. That is our 51st winner here so we are on the road to a century and fingers crossed this lad will be back here for a few more days. “Greenness cost him last time (when he was second at Perth). He was a bit keen and hanging a bit. Today was better because there was a bit more pace. Delighted with him. He is a half-brother to Tripoli Flyer and would be one of our better novice hurdlers.” Authoceltic (11-2) produced a stunning round of jumping to land the Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase by 14 lengths under Ciaran Gethings for Devon trainer Jane Williams. The six-year-old was perhaps the smallest runner on show but took yards out of the field at every fence after taking it up going on to the second circuit, coming home clear of favourite Larzac with Classic Maestro a further three and a quarter lengths back in third. “It doesn’t matter that he isn’t the biggest. He is from a fabulous family and Saint Segal and Celtic Dino are half brothers. You could jump a house on him as he is very athletic,” said Williams. “He is very, very impressive indeed. We just wanted to make best use of his jumping today and we were a bit surprised that nobody came to take us on. I have been beaten here jumping the last in front – the famous one was Maljimar (beaten by Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Trophy in 2009). “Having a win here is very hard to get and very, very special.”
