Mr
Strong Gale (12.20) showed much promise on his hurdling debut at Stratford last month when third to Tarrs Bridge and should be spot-on now.
The
Strong Gale gelding was limited to just two outings last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Fakenham before being well beaten at Doncaster in a well-contested Class B affair.
A big day for Nicholls is completed by Mr
Strong Gale, who is heading for the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster.
Jumped off in front from flag fall by Tony McCoy that day, the bay gelding never put a foot wrong and gamely held the late challenge of Simply Dashing by three-quarters of a length with a further seven lengths back to the tiring Mr
Strong Gale.
And at Sandown Timmy Murphy, recently displaced as first-choice stable-jockey, scored on Laredo, Court Melody and Mr
Strong Gale.
"Winds will increase to
strong gale force at times early tonight."
Winds last night reached "
strong gale force nine" according to coastguards in Crosby - 40knots or 45mph.
Chevalier Errant, a 72,000 guineas son of
Strong Gale, is expected to make up into a nice novice chaser while Monsieur Darcy could also make his mark over fences.
His Major Bell landed the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster when snatching a last-gasp win over Mr
Strong Gale.
He began in similar vein in yesterday's pounds 10,500-added chase, outdoing another son of
Strong Gale, called Mr
Strong Gale.