Racing: Nicholls has a view of his best

Paul Nicholls edged closer to his best seasonal total of 110 after reaching the 82-winner mark with Devon View at Leicester.

Devon View was getting off the mark at the third attempt in most convincing fashion under Joe Tizzard in the Edna & John Hern Diamond Wedding Maiden Chase (Division One).

He jumped to the front at the fourth last fence and the race was all over bar the shouting as he steadily drew away to beat Reel Handsome by a distance.

Having been placed in a couple of point-to-points in Ireland, he ran well on his first run for 15 months at Taunton last time and Nicholls is pleased to see him record a win.

He said: ‘‘We bought him (28,000gns) at Doncaster two years ago, but he was backward and then he got a bad infection in his withers and slipped on the walker so he has had a problem or two but his owner has been very patient.

‘‘Two miles in that ground is just right for him and I think he is a very nice horse who can go on from this.’’

And reflecting on the campaign so far, he continued: ‘‘We have hardly been quiet as we have already matched last season with 82 winners and there is still a long way to go.

‘‘Our best score was 110 three years ago so it would be nice to beat that but the target now is to get 100 we did not start off any earlier this season, it is really just that we have had more horses.’’

But he ruled out any thoughts of winning the trainer’s championship this season.

He added: ‘‘We won’t ever beat Martin (Pipe) but that is not on the agenda anyway, in fact it won’t even be easy to finish second because Philip (Hobbs) is going well.’’

Peter Beaumont had a nightmare trip from his stable at Brandsby, near York, but things improved as he watched Impertio win the Unsworth Sugden Handicap Chase under a copybook ride from Denis Grattan.

Impertio has often looked likely to win only to think he has done enough when he got his head in front but this time Grattan timed things to perfection easing him past Lord O’All Seasons close home to win by a length.

The heavy rain could not dampen Beaumont’s delight and he said: ‘‘We came down the M1 unfortunately, and because of an accident it took us six and quarter hours, two and a half hours longer than usual.’’