Overland Flyer overcomes host of issues to score for delighted Nicholls

Winners have flowed freely from the Paul Nicholls yard since the turn of the year but few have given the trainer as much satisfaction as Overland Flyer after he landed the feature 2m4f handicap chase.

The Colm Donlon-owned eight-year-old had not won for over two years but that did not stop punters supporting him into 9-2 from 6-1 and they were all on very good terms with themselves after Harry Cobden steered him to a three-and-three-quarter-length call over Dentley De Mee.

Nicholls said: “I'm made up with that as the horse has had a lot of small issues and, as a result, he's not been easiest to train. He's had to have two wind operations – the second being a soft palate cauterisation late last autumn – and it took until after Christmas to get him fit again.