Compensation for Nicholls at Sandown
04/02/2006 - 15:02:58Paul Nicholls gained compensation for the defeat of Hoo La Baloo when Napolitain (3-1) won a dramatic Grade One Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown as Turpin Green threw away any chance of victory at the last.
After jumping well throughout, Nicky Richards’ seven-year-old took up the running on the run to the final fence but jinked badly left and Tony Dobbin performed miracles to even get him to the other side.
McCoy on Napolitain seized the chance to rally and he moved two lengths clear before a late thrust by Turpin Green saw the deficit cut to a neck at the post.
The big disappointment of the race was the winner’s stablemate and hot favourite Albuhera, who was beaten a long way out.
