Adrian Nicholls saddles first runner at Wolverhampton

Adrian Nicholls was always going to become a trainer. His late father, the sprint king David Nicholls, was a jockey-turned-trainer and having hung up his own riding boots, he will saddle his first runner in the 4.50 at Wolverhampton on Friday afternoon.

The horse to kick off Nicholls' training career is Sir Lancelott, who runs in the 1m½f handicap, and the trainer cannot contain his excitement.

"It's a very exciting time," he said. "We've been here for ten years, we've been pre-training and I've got my house on it now, but everything's gone up a gear.

"When you're riding you just ride out and turn up at the races, I've been busy all morning organising everything and the buck stops with me now."

He added: "We've had horses we've got ready in the past – that were basically ready to run when they left – go and win first time out for my dad, but this is different as officially they're in my name. Clare [Nicholls, wife] and I have put a lot of work in so hopefully it pays off.

"Clare was at my dad's a long time, I've ridden work for a lot of brilliant trainers like Mark Johnston and have been lucky enough to travel the world and I've picked up a lot, but the main way of training will be from my dad.

"He was a genius of his time but technology is moving on and I have a few of my own ideas. Luckily he's surrounded me with good people – Ben Beasley was with him from day one and I'm still learning from him."

On the possibility of a debut winner, he said: "It's what dreams are made of, but he's in a 0-60 for a reason and coming from Keith Dalgleish and David O'Meara he's been with two very, very good trainers so I'm not going to say I'll improve him but his form's there in the book and I'm really happy with him. I'd love to say I'm going to have a winner, but I'd settle for seeing him run well as it'll give us a guideline on where we are.

"I've got some good owners and I just want to get up and going, get a few in for the all-weather. I want to train as many winners as I can, do the best for my owners and everything is going to be focusing on getting to the sales and building a team for next year."

4.50 Wolverhampton card

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