TENSATIONAL!

WHAT a difference a week makes!

Last Saturday, British racing lived in fear that the Cheltenham Festival could be lost after an outbreak of equine flu.

But seven days on, racing is back and punters can sit back and feast on a ‘Perfect 10’ televised races today. One man delighted at the resumption is Paul Nicholls (below), whose yard has a 10-strong representation before the

ITV4 cameras.

“It was a difficult time for all of us and it’s great to be back having runners again,” said the 10-time champion trainer.

Nicholls’ pair Politologue and Cyrname take on defending champion Waiting Patiently in the Betfair Ascot Chase, but the star of the show is King George hero Clan Des Obeaux (far left), who tunes up for the Gold Cup in the rescheduled Denman Chase.

“It’s ideal to be able to get a run into him before Cheltenham,” added Nicholls.