Nicholls and Walsh strike again

Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh followed up their double at Ayr on Friday by taking the opener with Poquelin on Coral Scottish Grand National day.

The 5-6 favourite never looked in danger of defeat as he made all the running and bounded clear of his rivals in the Purvis Marquees Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Poquelin, who had finished sixth in the Triumph Hurdle on his previous start, won by seven lengths from English City, with Pouvoir another three and a half lengths back in third.

Nicholls said: "We decided on a change of tactics. He was very free early in the season so when we went for the Triumph we dropped him in to get him to settle, but he never jumped and was never travelling.

"He's a nice horse, but I don't think he will go chasing next season, particularly now the allowances have gone. He could win a nice handicap hurdle."

Yes Sir also led from pillar to post when running out an impressive winner of the Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices' Chase.

Peter Bowen's charge had been a prolific winner last summer and he returned to his best as he ran his rivals ragged in this Grade Two contest under record-breaking conditional jockey Tom O'Brien.

Buena Vista was trying in vain to cut the lead when he fell at the third-last. That left Natal in second spot, but he trailed in 11 lengths behind the 5-1 winner. Faasel plugged on for third, five lengths away.

Welsh trainer Bowen said: "Everything was right for him today, the trip, the ground and the track. He has not had his ground all winter.

"He's a very good horse on his day.

"He may go to Punchestown next Friday for the two-and-a-half-mile valuable novice handicap chase. It takes us three and half hours to get there, but nine and a half to get here."