DOOM BAR MAGHULL

NOVICES’ CHASE

(GRADE 1)

THESE are difficult times for Paul Nicholls, with Nicky Henderson having all the ammunition required for a successful title defence and Irish trainers Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins winning any number of top races in Britain.

However, Nicholls, who sent out Politologue to win the Melling Chase earlier in the week, landed a second Grade 1 at the meeting in the Maghull Novices’ Chase with Diego Du Charmil, who was produced between the last two fences by Harry Cobden and kept on well to hold Henry de Bromhead’s odds-on Petit Mouchoir by two and a half lengths.

The pair were nicely clear of Shantou Rock.

Cobden is making the most of the chances coming his way and rode a canny race, waiting on the placed horses and then kicking on strongly soon after the favourite had taken over. Petit Mouchoir had gone off much too fast at Cheltenham but seemed to have every chance here and was disappointing.

Diego Du Charmil is only six and was compensating for a fall when cruising in an Ascot handicap last time.

“He’s a progressive horse and he’s fresh,” Nicholls said. “He’s got plenty of toe and just needs to mature a bit. I don’t think he’ll run again this season unless Altior misses Sandown.”