CHRISTIAN Williams landed the feature staying chases first at Newcastle with Win My Wings and then at Kempton where Cap Du Nord (150) relished the faster surface to post the fastest time over fences on the card in the Coral Trophy Handicap on Saturday.

The Welsh trainer made it a one-two in the race as Kitty’s Light (148) also returned to form for the better ground and is the one to take from the race. Another attempt to win the Bet365 Chase at Sandown looks on the cards or the six-year-old may take in a tilt at the Scottish Grand National where he is certain to appreciate the extra distance of ground.

Nicholls’ record

Pic D’Orhy (148+) returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase to enhance Paul Nicholls’ incredible record in the race and, while his overall time was slightly slower than Cap Du Nord, his final circuit time and closing sectional suggests he can step up on this effort in the future. A statement which can also be attributed to the runner-up Millers Bank (147+) who was returning following wind surgery.

Knight Salute (135) booked his place for the Triumph Hurdle with an efficient victory in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle in a slightly quicker time, on my timings at least, than Aucunrisque (135+) recorded over the same course and distance. Teddy Blue (132+) may well have demanded Knight Salute pull out more had he not clattered through the final hurdle.

This was also a step-up on by Graystone (128) who, although maybe not up to contests of this nature, can benefit from his attacking run style to win again if his sights are lowered.

The final circuit time swung back in favour of Aucunrisque but, as the closing sectional was the slowest over hurdles, I would only side with the winner of the Dovecote when competing at the same level in the future.