VIC REMEDY
Nicholls back in title hunt
VICENTE got up on the line to repeat his Coral Scottish Grand National triumph of 12 months ago – and administer the kiss of life to Paul Nicholls’ title challenge.
Ten-time champion trainer Nicholls conceded this year’s crown to rival Nicky Henderson after the Grand National at Aintree – in which Vicente fell at the very first fence – 15 days ago.
But he vowed to fight tooth and nail to the Jump Finale at Sandown Park next Saturday after 9-1 joint-favourite Vicente and Sam Twiston-davies nailed Cogry – trained by the winning jockey’s father Nigel – a stride from the post to net the £122,442 first prize by a neck.
“We won’t give up until the last day,” said Nicholls, who still trails Henderson by nearly £200,000.
“It’s going to be very, very hard, but we’ll give it a go, we always do. I’ve got loads left to run. Of course we can still win it, but everything will need to go right,” added the Ditcheat trainer, who will saddle Southfield Theatre and 2015 winner – and last year’s runner-up – Just A Par in the valuable bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
Nicholls (below) had made no secret of the fact Vicente, all at sea on soft ground during the winter, had returned to form with the onset of spring.
“He was unlucky at Aintree, but in a lot of ways the fall at the first was the best thing that happened, as it meant he didn’t have a hard race,” he added.
“We knew he was fresh, and Sam gave him a great ride.”
At Newbury, Barney Roy was slashed to 5-1 third favourite (from 20-1) for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday week after leading home a Godolphin 1-2 in the Group 3 JLT Greenham Stakes.
James Doyle’s mount was strong at the finish to overhaul the Saeed bin Suroortrained Dream Castle by two lengths and add to his debut score in a Haydock Park maiden last September.
“I thought he was in trouble four down,” admitted Barney Roy’s handler Richard Hannon. “And then he went, ‘whoosh!’”