Paul Nicholls ended a relative lean spell when saddling his first winners for 15 days as New Little Bric and Taranis provided him with a short-priced double at Sandown.

Connections of Aztec Warrior are contemplating a run at the Cheltenham Festival with the six-year-old after his comfortable victory in the Betfred “The Bonus King” Novices’ Chase at Wincanton.

Supporters of Racing Demon, ante-post favourite for next week’s Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy, left Sandown hoping they had seen a good omen after stablemate Aztec Warrior took the finale.

The Listener gave an illustration of the old adage about jumping being the name of the game as he produced some thrilling leaps on his way to victory at Windsor.