PAUL NICHOLLS has scratched hot favourite Teeshan from the first major race of the new jumps season.
The Ditcheat boss’ big hope was 11-10 favourite for the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on Friday.
Last seen finishing 12th in the Champion Bumper after winning his first race under rules, the Johnny de la Hey-owned five-year-old was very short with the bookies for his comeback run.
But he wasn’t declared on Thursday morning, and neither was 4-1 second-favourite Brechin Castle, trained by Ben Brookhouse.
That threw the race wide open and also saw Nicholls’ No1 jockey Harry Cobden link up with Irish handler John McConnell.
Cobden will ride the 130-rated Intense Approach, who will line up on the back of winning his past two races by a combined 22-and-a-half lengths having been sent off odds-on both times.
Only seven runners were declared for the day one feature, which traditionally marks the start of the new National Hunt season.
Harry Skelton will ride the 120-rated Juventus de Brion, trained by his brother Dan.
More to follow.
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