'Huge improvement to come' - Nicholls bullish about Trump rematch with Al Dancer

Paul Nicholls is bullish about the chances of Getaway Trump reversing form with Al Dancer should the pair clash again in the Grade 2 Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase at Cheltenham next Sunday.

Al Dancer got the better of the six-year-old over the same course and distance last month but the champion trainer believes there is a lot more to come from Getaway Trump, who returned to training late this summer and as such was not fully ready for his chasing debut.

Speaking in a stable tour available from 6pm on Sunday at racingpost.com and in Monday's Racing Post, Nicholls said: "If he was going to run in Sunday's Arkle Trial at Cheltenham I had to get a run into him somewhere, and he's travelled and jumped beautifully before getting a bit tired and finishing third to Al Dancer.

"There's an enormous amount of improvement to come and we'll be quite happy to take on the winner again."

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden alongside Getaway TrumpCredit: Tracy Roberts

Getaway Trump advertised his talents last season during a promising eight-race novice hurdle campaign which included four victories and an excellent second to current RSA Chase favourite Champ in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.

"To think the season before last we couldn't even win a bumper with him," Nicholls added. "He was a bit free and lit up early in his career, but once he settled he just took off and has kept on improving.

"It wasn't easy deciding whether to stick to hurdles or go chasing, but he's always been a chaser on looks and he's obviously a really exciting prospect."

Getaway Trump is rated a general 20-1 shot for the Racing Post Arkle Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next March.

The Paul Nicholls stable tour will be available as an eight-page pullout in Monday's Racing Post, while members can read it at racingpost.com from 6pm on Sunday

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