PAUL Nicholls was pleased and relieved to return Champion Chase winner Dodging Bullets to competitive action after a long absence. However, the 2015 Cheltenham hero was decidedly uneasy in the market before the Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Stakes, the old Game Spirit, and having eased from 5/6 to 6/5 on course, he went down by 10 lengths to 11/10 favourite Top Gamble.

Trainer Kerry Lee has been in excellent form since taking over the yard from her father Richard and this was another prestigious success for her. Top Gamble had finished third to Village Vic at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, which is extremely smart handicap form.