THE best way of cementing a new partnership is by having a winner and Paul Nicholls wasted no time in rewarding Graham and Andrea Wylie for choosing him to succeed Howard Johnson when the County Durham trainer had his licence withdrawn.

Wylie decided to reduce his string and sent the pick of his horses to Nicholls’ base at Ditcheat in Somerset.

It is a long way from the North East, but the high-profile owners wanted them to be trained by the best and Nicholls was their man, along with Willie Mullins in Ireland.

Prospect Wells duly obliged in their colours on his first run over hurdles at Chepstow in late October.

The reason for his belated appearance over timber was the fact he nearly died when serious complications arose after being gelded.

Another reason for the delay in embarking on a hurdling career was his previous trainer had difficulty betting him to jump hurdles and Dan Skelton, Nicholls’ assistant, spent countless hours teaching him to jump.

It paid off as he jumped well for a newcomer at Chepstow and had his race won when he quickened clear between the last two flights.

He was a classy performer on the Flat, winning a Group Two in France, and this was a promising start to hurdling – even though he may not be a natural.

While beaten on his next start at Cheltenham when stepped up in class, he lost nothing in defeat against the well-regarded Irish raider Steps To Freedom, who snatched a neck verdict in the last few strides. However, it was only a temporary hiccup. He was back in the number one spot 15 days later at Newbury where he easily disposed of All The Aces, who was of similar ability on the Flat and was receiving 5lb from the penalised winner.

On the strength of that, he started favourite for his handicap debut in The Ladbroke and, for a novice, ran a blinder in fourth, beaten under two lengths by Raya Star.

I did not fancy his chance then, but this is not the case at Sandown today when I expect him to pick up his first Grade One success in the 32Red Hurdle, formerly the Tolworth Hurdle, en route to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Back in novice company, he should have too much speed for the unbeaten Magnifique Etoile, who has won two weak events, while Colour Squadron will find this much tougher than the Newbury maiden he collected.

In the 32Red Handicap Hurdle, Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson has booked Ruby Walsh for his improving Attaglance, who has run two sound races since winning at Carlisle in October.

Chasing will be his game, but I expect him to be in the mix against Higgy’s Ragazzo, representing Nicky Henderson, and Ciceron, who has not achieved much in two attempts this season but is back on a winning mark and his stable is among the winners again.

Despite being 3lb out of the handicap, Hold On Julio looks the most likely winner of the 32Red.com HBLB Handicap Chase.

A former hunter-chaser, he was most impressive on his debut for Alan King over the course and distance in November.