Rare Flat double at Pontefract by Nicholls

MEGAN NICHOLLS was seen to great effect when riding a double on Oleg and Christopher Wood at Pontefract.

Both horses are trained by her father, 11-times champion National Hunt trainer Paul, but the younger Nicholls is well on the way to making her own way in the game.

Now based in the north with boyfriend and fellow jockey Kevin Stott, she is well on the way to losing her 3lb claim.

Oleg may already be with his third trainer, but Nicholls has a soft spot for him after maintaining her 100 per cent record on the grey in the Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap at Pontefract.

Christopher Wood (7-2) has always had plenty of talent and was last seen in action at the Cheltenham Festival.

In similar style to Oleg, he denied Monsieur Lambrays by half a length to provide the trainer with a rare Flat double.

Meanwhile, Karl Burke’s good start to the season with his juveniles continued apace at Pontefract when Inhaler just held on in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.

The Leyburn handler hopes to head to Royal Ascot with Newcastle winner Dandalla, as well as Significantly who was narrowly beaten on his debut at Gosforth Park. With the big meeting getting ever closer, it may be asking a bit much for any youngster to back up so quickly, but Inhaler (100-30 favourite) showed a good attitude.

Ben Curtis bounced his mount out and having taken a lead from All About Charley until outside the final furlong, he hit the front and held on gamely from Dandy’s Max by a neck.

Burke’s assistant Joe O’Gorman said: “He made good use of the draw, had a good position all the way round and when they came at him he kept battling all the way to the line.”