Sam’s the man for Nicholls

Sam Twiston-Davies and Paul Nicholls proved the star turns at Cheltenham on Saturday as the relatively new partnership enjoyed a red-letter day in their association with a high-profile double.

It was announced at the end of April that the champion trainer had recruited one of the sport’s brightest young talents and their first important win came when Twiston-Davies persisted with Sam Winner (15-2) in the Murphy Group Handicap Chase.

But the best was yet to come in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as Caid Du Berlais (10-1) deprived reigning champion Johns Spirit by a head in a barnstorming finish to the Open meeting’s feature event.