Dulcote Does Nicholls Proud

On a red-letter day for champion trainer Paul Nicholls on which he sent out a stunning 96/1 four-timer at Newbury, the victory of Pride of Dulcote in the four-runner Bathwick Tyres Supports Heros Mandarin Graduation Chase may well have given the Ditcheat handler the most pleasure, writes Elliot Slater.

Those looking at cheltenham tips note that the second Nicholls winner of the afternoon, (following Ghizao, and preceding Rock On Ruby and the awesome Big Bucks), Pride of Dulcote had been off the track for over 14 months and was taking on the high-class Punchestowns, (from whom he was receiving 3lbs), but showed no ring-rustiness and is reported to have jumped well throughout, before holding on gamely on the Newbury run-in to beat Nicky Henderson’s runner by a neck. The 140