'It's a massive job' - Charlie Davies ready for ten-day stint as Ditcheat boss

Charlie Davies described the opportunity to manage Paul Nicholls' championship-winning stable as "massive" as the trainer heads off on a ten-day break, but insists it will remain business as usual at Ditcheat.

Nicholls goes on his annual January holiday on Tuesday on the back of a stable four-timer at Taunton on Monday, leaving Davies at the helm for the first time. He took over as assistant to the 13-time champion trainer at the start of the season when Harry Derham left to begin his own training career after six years in the role.

Davies is in his fourth year working for Nicholls, three of which came as pupil assistant, before getting the promotion in May. He expects a quiet time in charge, with only a handful of runners due to many of the horses having had flu jabs.