Jumps racing's most important new partnership has arrived in style after Sam Twiston-Davies rode a high-profile Cheltenham double for his boss Paul Nicholls.

In April, the champion trainer announced he had recruited one of the sport's brightest young talents.

The two combined on Saturday with Sam Winner in a handicap chase and Caid Du Berlais, who edged out 2013 winner Johns Spirit in the Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup.

With concerns about the testing conditions, Nicholls instructefd Twiston-Davies to follow Johns Spirit and keep to the better ground on the outside of the course.

Johns Spirit, who has a big following at his local course, went clear after jumping the final fence but could not cope with the final charge of Caid Du Berlais.

"Sam rode him brilliantly, Nicholls said.

"When they are well things like this happen, I thought he had a chance at the last. The plan was very much about today - this was his Gold Cup.

"Sam's won with two different rides today that were top-drawer. He's a good young man, he doesn't panic and he's improving all the time.

"It's an investment for the future. This was a big day for Sam and I'm really pleased with him. He has done exactly what we asked him to."

The jockey revealed he had read criticism of himself and said it only made him more determined to succeed.