Late workouts to determine strength of red-hot Nicholls' Cheltenham challenge

The rampant form of Paul Nicholls has made him the trainer to follow in a string of big races this autumn and his hopes of walking away with Cheltenham's two feature handicaps this weekend could hinge on how well Il Ridoto and Sonigino fare in their final workouts.

Bravemansgame's fluent Charlie Hall victory two weeks ago was a precursor to a fabulous few days for Nicholls last weekend when Greaneteen impressed in the Haldon Gold Cup, while at Wincanton Frodon landed the Badger Beer andKnappers Hill was on top in the Elite Hurdle.

The rest of the string are doing their bit as well and the champion trainer is operating at a superb 43 per cent strike-rate in the last two weeks.