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Paul Nicholls remained pessimistic about Almost Broke's Festival chances despite his win in the the totescoop6 Handicap Chase at Wincanton.

The top-weight (11-4) had hated the testing conditions and found the trip too far on his previous start here.

However, on this better ground and back to two miles five furlongs, Ruby Walsh's mount inched home in a driving finish with Saucy Night.

The latter had just been headed when making a blunder at the second-last fence, but he fought back with such resolve that there was only a short head in it at the line.

Nicholls said: "He found three and a quarter miles on really heavy ground all against him last time but today, from having to fight for his position on the bend, he was much happier.

"He will be entered for the novices' handicap chase over this trip at the Festival, but you really need everything in your favour at Cheltenham and he's better going right-handed."