'Bravemansgame has a lovely chance in Gold Cup' - Nicholls focus turns to festival after Saturday treble

Cheltenham in March may not be the be-all and end-all for Paul Nicholls but a Saturday treble at the home of the festival and surprise defeats for some big-race rivals has left the champion trainer with more belief than ever in his team for jump racing's biggest meeting, spearheaded by Gold Cup hope Bravemansgame.

Victories for Stage Star, Il Ridoto and Hacker Des Places on Saturday sent the 13-time champion sailing through the £2 million barrier in prize-money for the season, and Nicholls is hoping his red-hot run, which started in October, goes deep into the spring.

"We've had a strike-rate of 30 per cent throughout this season and have never done that before," said Nicholls. "If I could keep that going to the end of the season I would be happy.