Focused Nicholls clocks up record seasonal haul

PAUL NICHOLLS is known for being focused, so it was no surprise that after he had recorded a best seasonal haul and a treble at Cheltenham yesterday that he should be contemplating further quests.

Poliantis, Bal De Nuit and Indien Royal, all ridden by Ruby Walsh to secure a 48-1 treble, gave Nicholls a total of 139 winners in Britain since the current jump season kicked off last spring.

Poliantis, who secured the record under an assuredly dominate ride to beat Fondmort in the Grade Two handicap chase, Bal De Nuit, winner of the juvenile hurdle, and Indien Royal, who took the novices handicap hurdle, have finished for this season. Nicholls, however, maintains considerable strength to deploy on both sides of the Irish Sea - and even over the Sea Of Japan.