PAUL Nicholls continues to saddle a steady stream of winners, often with horses not necessarily booked for Cheltenham. He completed a treble on this card, the highlight being Cyrname’s ultimately easy triumph in the Grade 2 Betdaq Now 2% Commission Pendil Novices’ Chase over the extended two and a half miles.

However, those who risked serious money at 2/5 had a heart-stopping moment four out, where Sean Bowen lost his irons after a bad blunder and was nearly on the floor. He recovered extremely well and was soon well in control again, passing the post 11 lengths ahead of The Unit in a four-runner field.