The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ayr double helps Nicholls continue his strong finish
But small miracle required for him to retain the champion trainer title as season draws to close
Paul Nicholls’ reign as champion trainer might be coming to an end, but he appears intent on finishing the season strongly after an Ayr double helped him to an across-thecard four-timer yesterday.
The Ditcheat handler trailed Nicky Henderson by over £300,000 in this season’s title race before racing, and with the campaign coming to a thrilling climax at Sandown next Saturday, he requires a minor miracle if he is to successfully defend his crown.
By his own admission Nicholls – who recently set a personal best for winners in a season – does not currently have the firepower of recent years, but he unearthed a couple of exciting potential chasing prospects in Scotland.
Give Me A Copper, who counts Sir Alex Ferguson among his owners, cost a pretty penny at £270,000 having won a point-topoint and a bumper in Ireland.
He made a successful start for his new connections at Exeter in December, but disappointed at Doncaster the following month and lined up in the Ayrshire Magazine Novices’ Hurdle on a retrieval mission.
Despite dropping in class, the 9-4 chance faced a formidable opponent in the Henderson-trained Burbank (6-4 favourite), but showed class and courage to see him off by three-and-a-half lengths.
Nicholls said: “He’s a really nice prospect and won well in what was a nice race today.”
Nicholls and stable jockey Sam TwistonDavies doubled up in the L&M Surveys Novices’ Handicap Hurdle with Winningtry.
The 5-1 joint-favourite saw off King Of Fashion by a length and a half in the colours of Trevor Hemmings.
Two Taffs, trained by Nicholls’ former protege Dan Skelton, belatedly opened his account over fences with a smooth success in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old won over hurdles at last year’s Scottish Grand National meeting and returned to the track with sound claims following a cracking effort to finish third in the novice handicap chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Former Irish champion jockey Davy Russell was happy to take his time aboard the 3-1 favourite, but after travelling powerfully for a long way, Two Taffs hit the front before the third fence from the finish and had enough in reserve to see off the admirable Theinval by three lengths.
Skelton said: “It was nice to see him win a nice prize like that after running so well at Cheltenham.”
Glasgow-based Jim Goldie landed the QTS Handicap Hurdle with the impressive Great Fighter (4-1), who benefited from a cool ride from conditional jockey Callum Bewley.
Fair Loch looked home for all money in the Porcelanosa Scotland Chase, but was caught close home by Patrick Griffin’s Irish challenger and 16-1 shot Chitu under Brian Hughes.
Jennys Melody was a shock 50-1 winner of the coral.co.uk Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, while the concluding Seko Logistics Scotland Handicap Hurdle went to 11-2 favourite Beer Goggles.