Copain De Classe on the path to bigger things after wind operation

After saddling just two runners over jumps in September and August, Paul Nicholls has been slowly taking the wraps off his team for the winter this month and unveiled a potential BetVictor Gold Cup candidate as Copain De Classe immediately reaped the rewards of a wind operation in the 2m2f handicap chase.

Owners Jeremy Kyle, Andy Stewart, Paul Vogt and Graham Wylie almost packed the winner off to the sales after a couple of disappointing efforts last season, but, after an entrapped epiglottis was diagnosed in the summer, he was handed a reprieve.

Nicholls said: “He was on the point of going to the sales when we found out the problem and I said to the guys, 'Let’s keep him, give him one run and see what happens'.