The flowering partnership between Paul Nicholls and Noel Fehily continued apace at Cheltenham when Sam Winner (4-1) ran out an easy victor of the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, the first race on Paddy Power Gold Cup day.

ASHLEY BROOK put up a spectacular display on his debut over fences at Exeter yesterday as Arkle Trophy ante-post favourite Sporazene blotted his copybook with a fall.