Nicholls Reigns Supreme at Tingle Creek

For his fifth successive year Paul Nicholls, one of the greatest trainers in the UK, has once again won the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, despite been left without his shoe-in favourite Master Minded. Twist Magic sailed passed the winning post under a masterclass ride from Ruby Walsh at Sandown on Saturday

Anybody who thought Big Zeb and Well Chief might have put some fight would have been sadly disappointed as Twist Magic produced an awesome round of jumping that had his rivals in deep trouble a long way from the finishing posts. In fact, the only horse to actually try to contend for the title was Irish bred Forpadydeplasterer but even he could only succumb to a distant second on the day.

Nicholls said afterward “That was his very best performance, it was a very good run first time out at Exeter and he was awesome today. He goes out on his own at home because he’s a bit of a monkey but that was good and, tactically, it was a brilliant ride. Ruby didn’t get enough credit for his ride on Denman, but that was spot on.”

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve begun to wonder if anybody can stop the training machine that is Paul Nicholls. His incredible run of wins and production of such top class horses and performances has me keeping a a keen eye on who he enters into the big races at Cheltenham and the Grand National next year – watch this space because I don’t think he’s going to let go of his winning reigns any time soon.

For all ante-post odds on the Cheltenham Festival 2010 and the Grand National 2010 just go to Paddy Power Bookmakers.