Wincanton win boost for Nicholls team

Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh kept their eyes on the ball ahead of the Cheltenham Festival with victory courtesy of long odds-on favourite The Gossmoor Yank at Wincanton.

The combination have been chalked up as favourites to be crowned champion trainer and jockey in the Cotswolds next week, and satisfied their winning appetite in the Five Counties Novices' Hurdle.

Walsh took up the running passing the stands and never saw another rival aboard the Sparkes family's six-year-old as he scored with nine lengths to spare.

Nicholls said: "He might have one more run this season and will then be put away for chasing next autumn.

"He is a big horse and wouldn't want quick ground."

Nicholls' rival Alan King kept his well-oiled machine ticking over ahead of the Festival and ensured Ellen Tilley will qualify for the EBF Mares' Final by sending her out to claim the Maryland Farm Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

The Wayne Hutchinson-ridden 4-7 favourite was having her third outing over timber to ensure her place in the Newbury line-up on March 21, and scrambled home just over three lengths to the good.

King said: "We didn't see her at her best today as she was running again quickly after finishing second last week.

"I was almost forced into running her as she needed the third run for the mares' final, and I might have about five in the race."

A return to fences benefited I'moncloudnine as Timmy Murphy landed the Ilchester Cheese Handicap Chase aboard Neil Mulholland's six-year-old.

Although the 4-1 chance received a couple of early reminders from David Johnson's retained rider, he entered the straight full of running and skipped away to shrug off the attentions of Terrible Tenant by a length and a half.