Appeal fires Nicholls title bid

Feature: Race for the title

Paul Nicholls received a triple boost as he continues his battle with Martin Pipe to be champion trainer.

First, Nicholls won his Jockey Club appeal against the decision of the Exeter stewards to demote Blue Endeavour from first place last month.

Then, Napolitain won at Perth and Goblet of Fire scored at Fontwell to close the prize-money gap further.

But Pipe maintained an advantage of nearly £19,000 after evens favourite Commercial Flyer obliged at Perth.

Blue Endeavour, a 1-5 shot ridden by Tony McCoy, held Algymo by a neck in a novices' selling hurdle on 22 March.

Local stewards reversed the placings after an inquiry lasting 20 minutes when deciding that Blue Endeavour had interfered with Algymo.

However, the Jockey Club's disciplinary panel upheld the appeal to improve Nicholls' prize money tally by £2,160, reducing Martin Pipe's lead to £18,100 at start of play on Thursday.