Talented dual-purpose performer Who Dares Wins added a victory over fences to his name with a battling success in the Betway Pendil Novices Chase.
Last year's Northumberland Plate hero had finished second on his two previous starts over fences, suffering an odds-on defeat at Plumpton last time out.
However, the eight-year-old left that effort behind when getting the better off Southfield Stone by three-quarters of a length, to take the Grade Two prize at odds of 10-1.
Winning trainer Alan King said: "He is a very good horse. He is a marvellous animal and has taken us everywhere - Ascot, Cheltenham and Liverpool, the Northumberland Plate.
"It just all went horribly wrong at Plumpton the other day. He walked through the ditch, then he nearly got brought down. He is a soft ground horse on the Flat, but I don't think he wants Plumpton heavy.
"We have waited and there are not many options, so we have had to come here today. Thank goodness they have had a dry couple of days.
"The plan was to probably not get to the front too soon, but when Paul's horse (Master Tommytucker) fell four out, we nearly got brought down and we had to commit then, but he has battled on well."
Although Who Dares Wins holds three entries at Cheltenham, King is unsure which direction he will go.
He added: "I want to go home and think about it, but I wouldn't be afraid of going three miles with him."
A trip to Aintree could be on the cards for runner-up Southfield Stone, according to Nicholls.
He said: "He has run a solid race today. He made one bad mistake at the ditch. He would have top-weight in the Northern Trust Handicap and he has now had two hard races.
"I'd be more inclined to give him a small confidence booster or go for a Grade One at Aintree."