Another winner for Nicholls as Qualando wins Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham

Qualando completed a treble on the afternoon for Paul Nicholls by beating stable companion Bouvreuil in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Already on the mark with Aux Ptits Soins in the Coral Cup and Dodging Bullets in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the champion trainer fired three shots at this well-contested handicap, with Qualando sent on his way at 25-1 under Nick Scholfield.

Bouvreuil did his best to make a race of it after the final obstacle, but Qualando was a length and a half too strong.

Patiently ridden The Saint James was third, with the front-running Starchitect boxing on for fourth.

Scholfield said: "Over the first four hurdles, I was in top gear, and going as quick as I could.

"I just let the race develop as I knew he'd stay well.

"Two out, when I gave him some room, he really picked up and came home well."

Nicholls' other contender, All Yours, finished fifth.

The Ditcheat handler said: "All three of ours are nice horses. Sam (Twiston-Davies) just got into a bit of trouble of All Yours.

"The second horse has run a really nice race, but when the winner was dropped 2lb for his first run I thought we'd take advantage of that.

"There was nothing between the three of them, and I thought they'd all go well.

"It's good to give Nick winner as he's a big part of the team."