Pasco pounces for Nicholls

Paul Nicholls kickstarted an enormous afternoon at Newbury as Pasco (4-1) drew clear in the toteplacepot Novices’ Hurdle.

Although registered as a roan, the gelding looks as grey as owner Terry Warner’s other former stars, Detroit City and Rooster Booster, and dominated proceedings with Ruby Walsh.

Pasco came home six lengths ahead of Lupanar to earn quotes for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Boylesports going biggest at 25-1.

“He was very lean when he came to us and I couldn’t get him as fit as I wanted,” explained Nicholls.

“But we’ve given him a break since he last ran and he’s now much stronger. He’s in the Supreme and we could go there, but I need to talk to Terry about it.

“We could always wait for the two-and-a-half miler at Aintree. He’s certainly good enough for those races.”