Paul Nicholls branded the decision of officials at Taunton to omit all bar the two flights in the home straight as "ludicrous" after his Tara Point jumped just four hurdles on her way to winning the feature event of the day at the Somerset circuit.

Al Ferof will head to the King George VI Chase after returning to his brilliant best when running away with the Amlin 1965 Chase for the second year in succession at Ascot on Saturday.

I must start this week by telling you about my first ever trip to Japan last weekend.