Rigmarole gives Nicholls a boost

Rooster Booster remains the one to beat in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, but Paul Nicholls feels he has the horse to do the job when Rigmarole lines up for the biggest test of his career at Cheltenham next Tuesday.

Both the market leaders stood their ground for the Festival's day one showpiece at today's Five-day declaration stage, and Nicholls was in bullish mood as he gave his stable stars their final important workouts during an open day at his Ditcheat yard this morning.

"We've won four of the biggest chases at the Festival over the years and if you asked me which of the big Cheltenham races I would most like to win now it would have to be the Champion Hurdle," said Nicholls. Rigmarole has never stopped strengthening and improving all through this season and has to have an outstanding chance.

"He worked really well this morning and his jumping was electric. The official handicapper says that we only have six pounds to find with Rooster Booster, and the way he's progressing makes me think that he can give him a real run for his money."

Nicholls will unleash another of his best hopes on day one of the meeting when the exciting Thisthatandtother takes on the star Irish novice Kicking King in the Irish Independent Arkle Chase. "He's proven already up the Cheltenham hill and I think he's the one to beat," said Nicholls.

"His jumping is a big asset and he's done everything we hoped he would running into the race."

Tony McCoy is still waiting to hear about which race the hugely promising Our Vic contests at the Festival, but whichever option is chosen he feels that Martin Pipe's gelding has a lot in his favour.