Nicholls powers to Cheltenham gold

Another of John Hales’ army of greys handed Paul Nicholls the last of jumping racing’s major prizes to have eluded him as Al Ferof took the starring role in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Back in April, Hales’ Neptune Collonges had broken the champion trainer’s duck in the Grand National and he has always been keen to chalk off the first serious prize of the new National Hunt season.