'It would be fantastic' - Nicholls targets century of winners by end of the year

Paul Nicholls is doing all he can to reach a century of winners by the end of the year – an achievement he has achieved only once in his glittering career.

Success for Brewers Project and Friend Or Foe at Wincanton on Tuesday raised the seasonal tally to 90 and the Ditcheat trainer has an enviable squadron to run over the Christmas period, headed by Ladbrokes King George VI contenders Cyrname, Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon.

In 2016, Nicholls managed to hit the 100-winner mark before January 1 for the first and only time. The 11-time champion trainer is eager to reach the landmark again but in unique circumstances, with the jump season delayed by two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's a good target. That's 89 now, so it's 11 to go," said Nicholls after the victory of Brewers Project.

"There's not so much racing next week and with the ground going a bit soft, it'll be hard, so we'd need a good weekend at Christmas. It could be done and we'll try to do it.

"It'd be nice to get 100 up by January 1, especially considering we missed the summer. We'll keep pressing on as it'd be fantastic."

Nicholls will have live chances in big festive races with Enrilo heading to the Kauto Star Novices' Chase and Tamaroc Du Mathan due to take on Shishkin in the Wayward Lad, while Truckers Lodge and Yala Enki are among the market leaders in the Coral Welsh National.

On Tuesday, 6-5 favourite Brewers Project caused a few anxious moments when jumping left in his win in a division of the 1m7f maiden hurdle. However, the six-year-old stayed on bravely to hold off nearest challenger Steady The Ship by a length and a half under Harry Cobden.

"He's big, babyish and backwards still," said Nicholls. "I'm not sure why he was jumping left-handed; he was never giving an inclination of doing that at home. If he gets a lead next time I'm sure he'll be fine. He's one for the future."

Read more:

'I did feel I'd had enough of it all' - inside the mind of Paul Nicholls

Nicholls: Betfair Chase 'very good' King George trial for Clan Des Obeaux

'He deserves to be in' - Frodon could join Nicholls big guns in King George

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