'He loves this time of year' - Wild Max wins easily again for Paul Nicholls

Friday: Newton Abbot

Paul Nicholls has kept Wild Max busy this summer and the novice chaser recorded his third win in four starts with ease under Harry Cobden.

The seven-year-old justified odds of 1-12 for the Owners Group 036 in the 2m½f novice chase under a double penalty, stretching clear for a 15-length win three weeks after scoring by 40 lengths at Worcester.

"He's an amazing horse," said Nicholls on Sky Sports Racing. "He loves this time of year and likes to have decent ground. He does a little bit in the morning, spends all day in the field then comes here and runs like that. He's perfect.

"Summer races require a certain horse. He's good enough to pinch one in October when the season gets going, just before you get different ground and better horses coming along. In the meantime we'll continue to go at these types of races."

Perfect record

Evan Williams had reason to smile on his holiday in Spain when State Crown extended his unbeaten course record to three in the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

The five-year-old made all under Adam Wedge, beating Krypton Gold by two and a half lengths.

Long journey

Fresh from riding a double at Perth on Thursday, Sean Bowen made the 500-mile journey down to Devon and struck on the Olly Murphy-trained Sure Touch in the 2m5½f maiden hurdle, extending his lead to four in the early stages of the jump jockeys' championship.

Results, replays and analysis

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