Key horses and questions as Nicholls looks to get off to a flyer on final day

bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Can Nicholls duo ensure a flying start?

It is fitting this race title carries the word ‘Championship’ as Paul Nicholls will just have been presented with the trainers' title trophy he has regained from great rival Nicky Henderson.

Nicholls fields two in a bid to get his big day off to a flying start and Getaway Trump and Birds Of Prey are both of interest.

The duo could hardly be in better form, with Getaway Trump having won at Ayr last time and Birds Of Prey seeking a hat-trick after two wins at Taunton.

Nicholls admitted it is hard to split the pair and said: “Getaway Trump won nicely up at Ayr last time. He carries top weight but on his best form would have a good chance. My only worry is the run comes too soon after Ayr, but he seems fresh and well enough at home.

“Birds Of Prey doesn't do a whole lot in front and keeps a bit to himself, as he's shown in his last two victories at Taunton, so he might be decently handicapped. Lorcan Williams' 5lb claim could be quite handy so he does have a decent weight.”

Nicholls added of the trainers' title returning to Ditcheat after a two-year hiatus: “Last October I couldn’t dream we'd be in this position, but we've done it in the same season the yard passed the 3,000-winner mark, and if you put the two together it’s something for us all to be very proud of.”

Will the ground scupper Dream hopes?

Nicky Henderson is also due to be double-handed with Dream Du Grand Val and Heatstroke, but Dream Du Grand Val would want the overnight forecast for rain at Sandown to prove correct.

The trainer said:”Dream Du Grand Val ideally needs the forecast to be spot-on as the ground might be too quick for him, although he found Sandown's very soft ground all too much last month."

He added: "There are no such worries with Heatstroke as he's a proper two-miler and will not mind the conditions. He did nothing wrong when touched off on similar ground at Wincanton and has a chance on his handicap debut.”

What they say

Alan King, trainer of Harambe and Scarlet Dragon
It's taken a while for everything to come together for Harambe but I think the penny has dropped now and this was the logical place to come. Scarlet Dragon disappointed in the Dovecote at Kempton in February after taking a fierce hold – in a bigger field like this there should be more pace and that will suit.

Ian Williams, trainer of Cause Toujours
He was very unfortunate to slip and come down at Haydock last Saturday but seems none the worse. He'll enjoy the decent ground but this will be his toughest task over hurdles to date.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Flash The Steel and Humble Hero
We've had this race in mind for both for a little while. Flash The Steel will be suited by the track but wouldn’t mind a drop of rain, while Humble Hero has had only three runs over hurdles but is going the right way.

David Pipe, trainer of Airton
He'll like the ground and we're fitting blinkers in the hope they focus and sharpen him up a bit. On bare form he's got it to do, but he deserves to take his chance.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of What’s Occurring
He's very consistent and we've had this race in mind since he got qualified. I feel there might be one or two better than him, but he's got a cracking each-way chance, but no more than that.

Tom George, trainer of Petit Palais
Maybe his run at Kempton in the Adonis in February was slightly disappointing, but we felt the track didn't really suit him at that level as he's more of a strong stayer. It’s hard to know as it was his second run over hurdles, but either side of that he won well. He’s very laid-back and won’t get fazed by the occasion. It’s a competitive race but he's heading the right way.

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