Paul Nicholls had a nice hat-trick to kick off the new season at Newbury as BetVictor Jumps’ season opener took place.

The Ditcheat manager completed the treble when Silver Forever won the BetVictor Loyalty Club Beginners Chase under Harry Cobden.

Silver Forever was making her first start since January 2020 as Nicholls decided to give the seven-year-old a year old and he explained how it paid off.

“She broke her pelvis some time ago and she came in last year and we weren’t happy with her so we thought about giving her a year off and I think that’s the best. something we’ve never done.

“We did everything we could to get her back in shape and Nat Parker rides her every day and she told me she was as good as ever but until they did, we weren’t never know. “

Elsewhere, Lambourn coach Jamie Snowden secured a winner the day Stoney Mountain produced a superb performance to clinch the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Under Gavin Sheehan, the eight-year-old finished ahead of Didtheyleaveuoutto and One For You in his first round since arriving at Huntington in a handicap obstacle in May.

After the race Snowden said: “I thought it was a great performance, he has always been a good horse and last season nothing went well for him.

“We tried to go hunting rookies with him and he didn’t really take that, and then he got hurt.

“We went to Aintree and ran well but we were unlucky in the race and then he got the hits at Huntington and it was one of those ‘written off’ seasons.

“He came back this year, he had a clear round and we will try to qualify him for the Pertemps final at [Cheltenham] Festival, but we will go to Grade 3 in Haydock [Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle] Following.”

In the opening race of the day Siroco Jo, coached by Nicholls, took the lead under Lorcan Williams.

After the race, the coach said he might be tempted to run his four-year-old on Tuesday in a handicap obstacle at Lingfield.

“He was a big weak horse last year when he raced here [Newbury] and he probably needed the summer. I could revive him quickly at Lingfield on Tuesday now.

“Kevin Stott homeschooled him so I could send him there if he’s okay because I can enter without penalty because today was a boys race.”

Nicholls scored a quick brace in race two as Silent Revolution edged Broomfield Burg, coached by Nicky Henderson, to win the novice hurdle race.

He said, “He’ll make a good hunter, he’ll be two and a half and Harry said so, but I haven’t really made a plan for him yet.”

Elsewhere, Cheltenham coach Fergal O’Brien continued his strong season as Dublin Four won a BetVictor Handicap Steeple Chase.

Nina The Terrier, trained by Alan King, won the Mares Novice Hurdle Race, while Super Duper Sam won the National Hunting Race.