Olive Nicholls handed golden opportunity on Il Ridoto Olive Nicholls will replace the injured Freddie Gingell on Il Ridoto in the Nyetimber December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. Gingell was unseated at Taunton on Thursday and, while he did take a further mount, is not fit enough to take his rides on Saturday. Nicholls, daughter of former champion trainer Paul, claims 7lb – which her father says was crucial in his coming to the decision. Bryony Frost had been in the frame for the ride but her commitments to owners Isaac Souede and Simon Munir in France prevented her from coming back to the UK. “Olive Nicholls, who claims 7lb, is going to ride Il Ridoto tomorrow,” said the Betfair ambassador. “I was keen to take 7lb off him as he is carrying 11lb more than the last day when he won the Paddy Power. “I was trying to get Bryony over from France to ride him but she wasn’t able to as she has commitments over there, so I just felt if I was going to claim 7lb, I’d rather use my own daughter than anybody else. “I didn’t think there was any point in claiming 3lb or 5lb, I wanted to take 7lb off and she’s getting plenty of experience now, so she’s going to get the chance. “He’s a good, straightforward ride, he’s been round Cheltenham more times than most horses. “This is a big ride for Olive but she’s extremely looking forward to it. “All the owners are fine with it, there’s five of them involved and I spoke to them all and they were all happy with the decision, so we’ll give it a go.” Nicholls also runs top-weight Stage Star, another who excels on the track. “I’m really struggling to split them and think they both have live chances,” he said. “Stage Star made an encouraging return in the Old Roan at Aintree at a time when our horses were not fully wound up. He was giving a stone to the winner that day and was beaten less than four lengths. “There are a lot of positives for Stage Star, who has definitely come on for the run, loves good ground and has a great record at Cheltenham.”
