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'They're a pain in the arse at times, so it was good to beat them' - Paul Nicholls has good reason to be pleased and proud

Il Ridoto and Freddie Gingell: won the Paddy Power Gold Cup
Freddie Gingell screams with delight after Il Ridoto's Paddy Power Gold Cup triumphCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Even before he won it, the stamp of Paul Nicholls was all over this Paddy Power Gold Cup. 

To look down the list of 15 runners in the British jumps season's first great handicap chase was to be reminded of Nicholls' remarkable success at nurturing human, as well as equine, talent.

The 14-time champion trainer was responsible for the wide-margin winner Il Ridoto and pulled-up favourite Ginny's Destiny. Second past the post was Ga Law, trained by one of his former pupil assistants, Jamie Snowden. Fancied contenders were saddled by Dan Skelton, Harry Fry and Harry Derham, all long-time assistants to Nicholls, while there was also involvement from Christian Williams, for many years one of his regular riders.

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