NEWBURY SATURDAY

SATURDAY after Saturday, Paul Nicholls comes up with big-race winners. There cannot be many stables with the ammunition to target a race just before Cheltenham rather than go to the festival itself but the champion trainer did just that with Sound Investment, who won the StanJames.com Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury last Saturday. Starting at 7/2 favourite, the seven-year-old scored by a hard-fought three-quarters of a length from Bennys Mist with Simply Wings well beaten off in third. The winner landed some tidy bets and it is little wonder a small army of punters follows Nicholls’ every move.

Patiently ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, the winner made ground from four out and had Bennys Mist in his sights between the last two fences. In front on the run-in, he stayed on gamely and was in control close home. Two and a half miles suited him perfectly, three at Ascot in December having exposed stamina limitations.

Venetia Williams has also been in fine form on Saturdays and for a long time Bennys Mist seemed to be running away with the race, only to falter as the winner went right through with his effort. The first two are likely to go for the Topham Chase at Aintree, a race in which Bennys Mist finished runner-up last year.

“I did think Sound Investment would win today,’’ Nicholls said. “The Topham appeals and there’s a listed race over two and three-quarters at Sandown on the final day of the season. When he was owned by Graham Wylie we thought he was pretty ordinary and his improvement has really surprised me. He’s a bit more than a fun horse now for the syndicate that owns him (Owners Group 001).”

SOLL TO AINTREE

David Pipe has already won a Grand National with Comply Or Die and looks to have another very fair chance with Soll, who led or disputed for much of the way in the Betway Supporting Greatwood Veterans’ Handicap Chase over the full Hennessy distance of three and a quarter miles plus. In the end he had three-quarters of a length to spare over another Venetia Williams-trained runner-up, Relax.

Soll, 11/2, who has not been with the Pipes for very long, won on his debut for the stable at Exeter and was 9lb higher here. A Presenting gelding, he deserves another chance in the Aintree marathon, having finished seventh for former handler Jo Hughes in 2013. Pipe replaced the cheekpieces worn at Exeter with blinkers this time and Soll did enough in the closing stages to hold on, although it was close.

“Blinkers have helped him and jockey Conor O’Farrell and we’ve changed a few things at home,’’ Pipe reported.

GERAGHTY DOUBLE

It was very much veterans’ day at Newbury and there was even a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs catering for those aged eight and above. Sponsored by Betfred in aid of Greatwood, it was won by the 8/1 chance Leave It Be, who came through to lead after the last for Barry Geraghty and went away to beat Irish Buccaneer by over four lengths.

The nature of the race made it somewhat surprising that a novice was able to win but Leave It Be had twice run well in that sphere, a first-time hood helped him settle and trainer Neil Mulholland always thought the step-up in trip would help.

Geraghty followers enjoyed an excellent pay-day because the 15/2 shot Rayak won another handicap hurdle later on, responding well to pressure to get up and beat Coup De Grace by just over a length. The jockey does not get up on many for Jonjo O’Neill but has a fine record for him.

STRONGE PROGRESSES

Ali Stronge is steadily making her way up the training ladder and another prestigious success came her way when Royal Guardsman, 12/1, took the Ladbrokes Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Jack Doyle. Assistant trainer and former jockey Sam Stronge was pleasantly surprised as the ground was thought to be plenty soft enough for the eight-year-old.

Victor Chandler stepped in to sponsor the former Jacky Upton Trophy, Paddy Brennan steering Tom George’s O Maonlai to a tidy victory in the two and a quarter mile handicap chase, while Alan King’s debutante Miss Crick goes to Aintree after winning the bumper in good style at 6/1.