Nicholls edges further clear Paul Nicholls pulled a further 2,220 pounds clear of Willie Mullins in the race for the trainers' championship on Monday despite neither of his two runners at Newton Abbot winning. Both Amanto and Dormello Mo were sent off favourite to oblige for Nicholls, who will be trying to pick up all he can before Mullins launches his assault on Perth and Sandown. However, Amanto could only finish a three-and-a-half-length second to Harry Fry's Meme's Horse in the SIS Maiden Hurdle, picking up 1,145 pounds. Dormello Mo was an 11-8 favourite in the Happy 96th Birthday, Les Bickham Novices' Chase but Sam Twiston-Davies was sending out distress signals from some way out as Aidan Coleman sat motionless on Aso. Aso won by 10 lengths from Fourth Act with another 10 back to Dormello Mo, who nevertheless earned 1,075 pounds. Nicholls is now 45,380 pounds in front with just five days to go. However, Mullins' entries for the rest of the week indicate the battle looks set to go right down to the final races at Sandown on Saturday.
