NICHOLLS ON PONT AGAIN

Britain’s No1 Tipster

A week on from his ‘ great eight’ trainer Paul Nicholls could enjoy more success in a prestigious handicap courtesy of ADRIEN DU PONT (kempton, nap, 3.35) in the 888Sport Handicap Chase.

The Ditcheat handler enjoyed success round the country last weekend although winners might be harder to come by today given many of his main adversaries can release their Cheltenham contenders after the new equine flu vaccination rules. However, Nicholls still enjoys a stranglehold on a number of the day’s top events, including this three-mile feature.

Stablemates Modus and Romain De Senam are fine wing men but Adrien Du Pont seems the No 1 hope judged on the manner of his campaign which has included a mid-season break in preparation for today.

The seven-year- old has often run too exuberantly in his 18-race career but there was evidence in his smooth course and distance victory over Christmas that the penny is dropping as he settled sufficiently well to move to the front at the final fence.

A 7lb rise for that win appears far from excessive and the likes of Didero Vallis and Talkischeap could help to provide a solid gallop which should assist Harry Cobden to conserve energy aboard Adrien Du Pont before arriving on the scene late on.

Nicholls has a major chance in the Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham with the talented kapcorse but

SAMBURU SHUJAA (Chepstow, nb, 3.40) gains the nod after impressing at the welsh venue last time.