The Ditcheat maestro scored with his dashing grey in the Class 2 Greene King Handicap Hurdle.
Sent off a well-punted 3-1 favourite, King George-winning rider Harry Cobden gave the seven-year-old a patient ride before taking up the running two furlongs out.
Although drifting late on, he ran out a convincing winner and capped a week to remember for Nicholls, who landed an eight-timer at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton on Saturday.
The result gave the Shepton Mallet handler his 2,960th winner over the sticks, with his other victories coming both on the Flat in Britain and over Jumps in Ireland and France.
Nicholls, whose Cheltenham Festival squad was bolstered by big wins for Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname at the weekend, has now been trimmed to 6-4 second favourite to land the trainers' championship.
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Paul's daughter and Sun Racing ambassador Megan Nicholls said: "Reaching 3000 winners is a massive achievement and I'm over the moon to have played small part in that.
"Over the years we've had a great team and some great horses and some very supportive owners – without them it couldn't be done.
"Dad definitely doesn't take the credit he deserves as he's got himself in that position and it's not something that everyone achieves.
"It's a special day and I don't think it will be long until he wants to be knocking down the 4000 door!
"Now we're very much thinking onwards and upwards. It's been a fabulous season. To have reached that on top of everything else this year is great."
Winning jock Harry Cobden said: "Luckily I had (assistant trainer) Harry (Derham) down there at the start to make sure he started. He's a tough customer to train.
"He's travelled extremely well ,and it was as much as I could do to hold on to him the whole way. He quickened up nicely in the straight – he's going the right way again now.
"Paul was saying he might go for the boys' race (Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle) at the Festival.
"I'm sure he'll give one of the lads a good ride in that."
Sun Racing ambassador Megan Nicholls, who looks after the winning horse, was on hand to celebrate with connections.
The race was sadly marred by a fatal fall to Misterton, who hit the second-last and brought down both Nube Negra and Flying Tiger.
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