Olive Nicholls chasing special winner with Golden Son

Olive Nicholls is hungrier than ever to make her mark on the Cheltenham Festival, as she bids to make it fourth time lucky in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase aboard Golden Son.

Nicholls was third on her first Cheltenham ride as a 17-year-old aboard her old schoolmaster Shantou Flyer in 2023, and was then sixth on him in 2024 before teaming up with her 14-time champion trainer father Paul 12 months ago with Shearer, who gave a bold sight when leading for a large portion of what is known as the ‘amateurs’ Gold Cup’.

But this year 20-year-old Nicholls will ride the in-form Golden Son, who heads to Prestbury Park on Friday as short as 10-1 after comprehensive wins at Warwick and Taunton.

“Each year I’ve ridden in it has made me more hungry to win it. It’s exciting, obviously a big day and great to be riding in it,” said Nicholls, who alongside riding as stable amateur is pupil assistant to her father.

“Golden Son has done nothing wrong and he’s potentially not the toughest of horses, but he’s really appreciated dropping in grade.

“He got a lot of confidence going round Warwick and turned in and won very well. He’s then gone to Taunton with a lot of confidence and was able to back it up really nicely.

“As long as he is happy in the bigger field and the occasion then I think he will run a big race. It may be a case I have to ride him like I did with Shearer and be fairly positive as it won’t bother him how many there is behind him then.”

Last year the younger Nicholls headed to Cheltenham under a spotlight after her father talked up the chances of Shearer in the build-up to the Festival.

However, with the likes of unbeaten novice hurdler No Drama This End and Champion Hurdle hope Tutti Quanti leading this year’s Ditcheat assault on the showpiece meeting, Golden Son and his pilot are this time proving low key for a race that could ultimately provide a momentous family occasion at the end of a long week.

Nicholls continued: “We fancied Shearer a lot last year and we perhaps didn’t have the calibre of horse we’ve got this year so he ended up getting mentioned quite a few times!

“It did add a bit of pressure, but I’ve learned it’s a day you have to enjoy and appreciate and you have to take the big days in your stride. I’m under the radar a bit more this year, but it ultimately doesn’t change too much, it’s still a horse race and I’m determined to enjoy the experience.”

This time around the eggs are also not all fully in one basket, with a second bite at the cherry set to be provided by Cheltenham regular Il Ridoto in the preceding day’s concluding Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

“The Kim Muir is Plan A for Il Ridoto and I worked him at home on Wednesday and galloped him at Kempton last week and he feels really good,” said Nicholls.

“I think the step up to three miles will be in his favour and he’s looked like he would appreciate that for a while now, so hopefully he will enjoy it.

“We know he loves Cheltenham and the New course so hopefully there is a lot to look forward to.”

With a two-strong hand to look forward to at this year’s Festival, there is still plenty to be excited about for Nicholls the jockey.

However, there will come a time the saddle is hung up in favour of her passion for training and towards the end of a first season learning from every moment of being a cog in the ever-turning Ditcheat machine, she is embracing what the future may ultimately bring.

“This year has been amazing and obviously very different to what I have been doing the last couple of years working for mum and having my own pointers and pre-trainers,” explained Nicholls.

“It’s been nice to work within a big operation and it’s been amazing to work every day with the horses I do. There’s still a lot to learn and hopefully I can keep kicking on.

“I’m still enjoying riding, but I love the training side of it and that is obviously the long-term goal and why I moved down.

“I’m sure there will be an obvious time to stop, but for now though I’m really enjoying riding.”