Latest News 
/ Paul Nicholls / 22 January 2012 / Leave a Comment 
"He won’t run before then and my aim now is to get him ready and at his best for Cheltenham and that is exactly what I will do."
Paul Nicholls give us his views on Al Ferof's performance yesterday in finishing third and why he's such an exciting prospect with Cheltenham now on everyone's minds.
I see that Timeform rate Al Ferof's third in the Victor Chandler at Ascot yesterday as the best performance by a novice chaser this season - and I couldn't agree more.
I gather they now rate Al Ferof on 161 and that is 3lb ahead of Grands Crus' Feltham win (which was 158p).
Although he jumped a bit novicey on occasions, I was delighted with his fencing in the main.
He wasn't foot perfect, but that is exactly why I ran him in the race. Namely, for the experience in a strongly run, high class race that he is very likely to get in the Arkle - and yesterday's race will clearly stand him in very good stead.
I know we always say it at this time of the year but this season's race - with Sprinter Sacre, Peddlers Cross and Cue Card to name but three - really looks a hot renewal. I am under no illusions about that, and that Al Ferof will probably need more than 2m in the future.
But, in summary, I was thrilled with the run - he is fine this morning, along with yesterday's winners Celestial Halo and Violin Davis - and now it is all systems go for the Arkle.
He won't run before then and my aim now is to get him ready and at his best for Cheltenham and that is exactly what I will do. As we have seen with him in the past, most
obviously when finishing second in the Festival bumper and when winning the
Supreme, he is at his best in the Spring too.
So I wouldn't rule out further improvement in six weeks' time.
And Timeform also make another interesting point. Now, this year's race will probably take much more winning, but they rate Al Ferof's Ascot third yesterday 2lb higher than Captain Chris' winning Arkle performance last year.
So my eyes are set on Cheltenham in March.
But Ruby is looking further ahead, it seems - in more ways than one.
I can tell you that Ruby was thrilled with yesterday as an Arkle trial.
But he also turned round to John Hales yesterday and said "what a ride he'd be in the King George next season."
There's a host of news from Ditcheat where Denman's recovery is taking a little longer than expected but Zarkandar appears to be in fine fettle with a big race on the horizon...
You never know with some horses so it's to the racecourse with Zarkandar for a spot of pre-Betfair Hurdle reconnaissance......
Racing's top man is back on our Twitter feed and live for an hour on January 18. Ten prizes will be won by those asking the questions!...
No comments:
Post a Comment