Nicholls keeps up pressure

Paul Nicholls took a chunk out of Martin Pipe’s lead in the race for the trainers’ title when Blue Business completed a four-timer in the opener at Cheltenham today.

The half-brother to Gold Cup winner See More Business has been a revelation since Nicholls equipped him with blinkers and the way he pulverised his rivals under Ruby Walsh suggests his winning sequence may yet be extended further.

Walsh was content to keep the clear leader Quick in his sights in the Renault Dealers Of Central England Handicap Hurdle until grabbing the lead at the penultimate flight.

The combination then pulled steadily clear to score by 13 lengths from Idaho D’Ox, with Zabenz running on into third, a further length back.

Revealing that he would give Blue Business one more outing over hurdles, Nicholls said: “We are chipping away and I am pleased with the way mine are running.

“This horse only had a break because there was nothing suitable for him and this has been his target for some time. I plan to give him one more over hurdles and I’m sure he’ll improve further still when I put him over fences next season.”

The well-supported 7-2 favourite Bowleaze seemed unhappy on the ground and was eventually pulled up by Andrew Thornton.