Inthewaterside one to follow over fences for Nicholls

Inthewaterside produced an excellent display on chasing debut to provide Paul Nicholls with a welcome winner in the Coral ‘Pipped-At-The Post’ And Win Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The strapping six-year-old has always hinted at possessing plenty of talent over hurdles, but seemed to relish tackling the larger obstacles under a positive ride from Harry Cobden.

The 15-8 favourite cruised home three and a half lengths ahead of John McConnell’s Irish raider Moon D’orange, to hand the multiple champion trainer a tonic after one or two fancied Ditcheat runners were beaten over the Christmas period, including highly-regarded race favourite Regent’s Stroll in the preceding Challow Hurdle.

A delighted Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing: “I enjoyed that and we all like training winners.

“It’s taken a while getting him to go fencing and it was always going to be his job. He stayed on nicely because he did plenty during the race and he has got a little bit to learn jumping wise and sharpen that up, but it was a good performance.

“It was always going to be his job and will be his future. He has been keen enough over hurdles and it has took a while for the penny to drop.

“The last day when I ran him here over hurdles, I ran him just to take that freshness off him a little really and I thought he was doing plenty enough during the race there. But he has plenty of ability.”

Reflecting on Regent’s Stroll, Nicholls was keen to draw a line through the race.

He continued: “The writing was nearly on the wall the way he went to post, he was very keen and Harry dropped in him last and I always thought he was doing a bit too much.

“He has got to learn to relax and I don’t think some of of ours are running their race and Harry didn’t think he has run his race today.

“I still think he was a bit too keen and he has got to learn. He’s going to be a chaser, but we have got to get some experience into him. I don’t think he was at his best today, but there are no excuses and I’m not saying he should have won because he was never going to win being as keen as that.

“For us it is back to the drawing board, get some experience into him and Rome wasn’t built in a day.”