Nicholls out for a big finish

Paul Nicholls is counting on either

Hoo La Baloo or veteran chaser

Royal Auclair to crown a

momentous season with victory in

the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown

today.

The champion trainer, who sent out

the first three home in the

Cheltenham Gold Cup last month,

has earned more than £3.5 million in

prizemoney this term and Hoo La

Baloo appears to represent his best

chance in the season-ending showpiece in which the betting is

dominated by Tony Martin's Irish

raider Royal County Star.

Nicholls said: "He loves it round here

but the one question mark has to be

the trip, as the furthest he has won

over is three miles.

"That said, I am hopeful he will stay

and, if he does, he has an

outstanding chance."

While Nicholls celebrates his title at

Sandown, champion jockey Tony

McCoy will be riding at Punchestown.