Dulcote delivers on fencing bow

Paul Nicholls unleashed another of his powerful squad as Cheltenham candidate Pride of Dulcote put in an exhibition round in the Fred Rimell Memorial Novices' Chase at Worcester today.

The champion trainer took the wraps off his Arkle contender Tataniano the previous afternoon, and was left delighted after last season's Festival runner-up eased clear under Ruby Walsh.

The 1-3 favourite was often less than proficient at his hurdles, but is far better suited by the stiffer test posed by fences and jumped with accuracy and skill to be trimmed to 14-1 from 16s by William Hill for the RSA Chase.

Nicholls said: "He was clumsy at a few of his hurdles and Ruby came off him a few times, so it was important to get in a clear round first time over fences.

"He is a high-class novice so we'll look at running him at either the Paddy Power meeting, or the graded race at Newbury's Hennessy meeting.

"A galloping track suits him and hopefully we can end up at Cheltenham again for the RSA Chase."

Emperor Concerto may have another outing over timber before being sent chasing after obliging as the 9-4 favourite in the Fenceline Leading Trainer And Jockey Awards Maiden Hurdle.

Lucy Wadham's six-year-old looks every inch a staying chaser in the making, but is not faring too badly over timber and galloped his way to a two-and-three-quarter-length victory under Leighton Aspell.

Wadham said: "Leighton said he is still quite green so we may give him another run over hurdles before going chasing.

"He'll be a three-mile chaser and has schooled over fences already, but may need more experience."

Orbital Orchid made a debut full of promise for Nick Williams two weeks ago when touched off at Exeter, and the filly duly went one place better in the Richard Lee Cures Burst Blood Vessels Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Daryl Jacob produced the four-year-old to lead with a beautiful jump at the final flight, and the 5-1 chance only needed to be pushed out to account for Sisella by an easy five lengths.

Winning owner Sandie Newton said: "Nick and his team have done a marvellous job with her, and we were hopeful of a nice run after her run in the fog at Exeter where she just got beat."

Co Meath trainer Val Donoghue made a successful first visit to Worcester as Tarkani put his mark on division one of the Myson Radiators Handicap Hurdle.

The 9-1 winner is no stranger to British tracks having raced three times at Uttoxeter recently, and he picked from the final flight under Robert Thornton to pass the judge eight lengths clear.

Donoghue said: "It's great to have a winner for Mick O'Shea and his wife Marie as they were my main backers when I started training."

Division two was War Footing's for the taking, only for Tony McCoy's mount to be outgunned in the closing stages by the Andrew Turnell-trained High Carol (11-1).

Turnell went on to complete a 143-1 double as fellow 11-1 chance Kew Jumper was left in the clear after the fall of Kaldouas in the Richard Davis Memorial Handicap Chase.

Martin Keighley followed up his win at Exeter on Tuesday as Legends Lass (6-1) posted a smooth 13-length success in the Worcester's 2010 Season Starts May 9th Handicap Chase.

Keighley said: "If she comes out of this OK then I'll look at entering her again and running under a penalty."

The closing Brown Fencing Standard NH Flat Race had plenty of drama with Dingat being headed by Duke Of Lucca in the final strides, only for the 12-1 chance to rally with purpose and pass the post three-quarters-of-a-length clear.