'It's been brilliant' - champion trainer Paul Nicholls ends 2021 with a treble

Thursday: Taunton

Paul Nicholls continued his stable's excellent form over the festive period with a treble, including success in the Listed feature with Rainyday Woman.

The six-year-old was an even-money favourite for the Byerley Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle and kept on strongly after the last to hold off Game On For Glory by three lengths.

Her victory followed on from a fortuitous win for Irish Hill, who scored after leader Graystone's fall at the final hurdle, while Brave Kingdom also bounced back to form in the 2m3f novice hurdle. He had finished a disappointing third when favourite in the Winter Novices' Hurdle at Sandown earlier in the month.

Nicholls, reflecting on his final runners in 2021, said: "It's nice to end the year in good form. We had three nice winners, particularly the mare, so it's been brilliant.

"She has had three quick runs now but we're starting to get a good bit of experience under her belt. She'll have a break now and we might look at the Listed Jane Seymour [February 17] at Sandown.

"Brave Kingdom did it well, the flat track suits him and he'll have a break. I haven't got a target for him, but the day for him will be when he goes chasing next season. That's when you'll see him at his best.

"Irish Hill was a little bit lucky, but he was staying on quite strong. He'll go forward from this and we'll look to give him more experience."

Winning return

Liam Harrison was back in the winner's enclosure after a 38-day break with success in the three-mile handicap hurdle on Tip Top Cat.

That took his seasonally tally to 29 and he holds second position in the conditional jockeys' championship, two behind Kevin Brogan.

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