No Letting Up From Nicholls

Paul Nicholls, who is on the verge of landing his first trainers' championship title, continued his rich vein of form with a double at Cheltenham yesterday.

The Ditcheat handler bagged a treble on the opening afternoon of the two-day meeting and success for Pirate Flagship and Taranis kept up the good work.

The former justified his short odds to land the Cotswold Life Gloucestershire Trainer's Championship Novices' Hurdle, although the 2-5 shot was forced to battle hard and was driven out by Ruby Walsh to beat Amour Multiple by four lengths.

Nicholls said: 'I don't think he wants any further than this, he just stays the two miles very well. He is going to make a very nice chaser.'

The trainer completed the brace in the following Messier-Dowty Landing Gear Novices' Handicap Chase with Taranis.

The 5-4 favourite cantered into the straight still full of running and went on to beat Amicelli by an impressive eight lengths.

'He travelled well and jumped nicely,' said Nicholls. 'He had a breathing operation in January and it seems to have done the trick.'

Golden Bay landed the feature Yorkshire Bank Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle to give trainer Suzy Smith her first taste of success at Prestbury Park.

The 20-1 shot was ridden close to the pace by Daryl Jacob and was forced to fight hard after the final flight to hold off Jontys'lass by a head.

'This is our first winner here and although she's only small, she's quite tough,' Smith said.

'It's very nice to get some black type next to her name and that is our biggest winner to date.

The consistent Bleu Superbe returned to winning ways in the Nicholson Holman Cup Handicap Chase.

The Venetia Williams-trained 11-year-old was always travelling well for Sam Thomas and kept on in good style to beat Escompteur by one and a half lengths.

Williams said of the 6-1 winner: 'He deserves this as he has been placed so many times in very competitive races.

'It is so long since he has run a bad race and I'm absolutely delighted.'

Standin Obligation defied top weight of 11st 12lb to land the Renault Masters Handicap Hurdle.

The Martin Pipe-trained seven-year-old was on the heels of the leaders as they turned for home and he was just pushed out after the last to beat Rimsky by a decisive seven lengths.

'He has done very well with all that weight,' said Pipe.

'He has jumped and travelled well and will go novice chasing next season.

'This is my last runner at Cheltenham this season and I'm delighted that I have finished with a winner.'

Knife Edge stayed out the three-and-a-quarter-mile trip in grand style to land the Coolus Air Conditioning Hunters' Chase.

Jonjo O'Neill's 11-year-old travelled well for Alan Berry and powered to the lead after the final fence to beat Yeoman Sailor by seven lengths.

Classic Fiddle gave trainer Nicky Henderson yet another bumper winner in the closing Renault Traffic Mares' Only National Hunt Flat Race.

The 4-1 shot travelled strongly for Mick Fitzgerald and quickened away in the straight to beat Strawberry by nine lengths.

'There's a lot of her mother in her (Fiddling The Facts) and she is still only a baby,' said Henderson.

'We'll put her away now and go novice hurdling with her next term.'

(C) PA Sport