Nicholls has Grand National in mind following Coral Gold Cup win
Kandoo Kid delivered a performance to remember, as he won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday.
Harry Cobden delivered a perfect ride, emerging from the pack at the perfect time to challenge the leaders with four fences remaining.
With three left he was leading, staying well to seal an impressive victory.
“We targeted this race from the moment he came in,” Nicholls said in the winner’s enclosure.
“He jumped fantastically, I really enjoyed that.
“Harry was brilliant,” he continued.
“He made a plan and did it to perfection.
“It gave me a lot of pleasure for the whole team.”
Such was the manner of his win, that trainer Paul Nicholls revealed exciting plans for the horse’s future, with a Grand National in mind.
“It’s a good team effort because everyone has worked hard to get him right,” he said.
“Now we can dream of Aintree.
“That’s where I think we’ll probably go next, or possibly with just one run before.”
“He ran a blinder in the Topham Trophy there.
“We thought then that the National would be a race for him, coming here on the way.”
“But I’d say he’s the sort of horse who will run well at Aintree.”
A third place finish at the course in April will have inspired confidence, with Saturday’s win setting him well on his way.
The day kicked off with a Novices' Hurdle at 12:07, which saw Dan Skelton’s Listentoyourheart take a 1 ½ length win, living up to his billing as the 6/4 favourite.
Nicky Henderson had a winner in the next race, as James Bowen rode 11/1 Wiseguy to victory in the Coral Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase.
The Skelton’s won another at 13:07, as The New Lion romped to a comfortable three length victory after being a standout favourite pre-race, leaving Henderson’s Califet En Vol in second place.
He’d get revenge in the Handicap Hurdle which followed, as Impose Toi stayed on well to win the 13:54.
Gavin Sheehan rode Navajo Indy to the win at 14:25, beating Harry Derham’s Queens Gamble by 1 ½ lengths to take the Gerry Feilden Hurdle.
Just prior to the main event, Henderson had further cause for celebration, as Sir Gino won the Fighting Fifth up at Newcastle.
His super sub story saw him replace favourite Constitution Hill last week, and he certainly made the most of the surprise opportunity.
Sir Gino is now thought by many to be Britain’s leading Champion Hurdle hope, with Constitution Hill looking to reaffirm his claim in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton later this month.
