Paul Nicholls: The views on my five runners at Ascot and Wetherby today

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

"This won’t be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I’m sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and theclass horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through."

It's a busy Saturday for Paul Nicholls with runners at no less than four meetings, and here the Betfair Ambassador talks exclusively about his five chances at Ascot and Wetherby...

13:30 Wetherby - Solar Impulse

Rounded off last season with a good win at Chepstow and I was pleased with his chasing debut at Newton Abbot. Okay, he was beaten at odds-on in a three-runner race, but the outing would have done him the world of good in terms of fitness and experience. That would have been the first time that he had jumped a fence on grass. So while a mark of 135 is plenty high enough on the bare form of that second, I'd hope that he can progress and be competitive here.

13:45 Ascot - Keltus

Proved himself a decent juvenile hurdler last season but hopefully he will develop into a better chaser, and I was certainly encouraged by his second to Court Minstrel on his debut at Newton Abbot, where he jumped nicely. The winner is clearly a smart horse, following up at Cheltenham next time, and I think a mark of 131 is fair. And the step up in trip will suit him, too, as will the ground. Has a good chance.

14:20 Ascot - Ulck Du Lin

Has won over course and distance but that was in heavy ground and I think that he may just struggle today on this faster ground over this trip. But at least he came down the weights last season and has Sean taking 7lb off - and he had his palate cauterised in the summer, too - so you never know.  

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

He is fit enough to do himself justice and he tends to go pretty well when fresh anyway, as he showed when winning this race two years ago. But, with bigger prizes ahead, he will obviously be better for the run and last year showed us that we want to be going into the Betfair Chase with an outing under our belt.

This won't be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I'm sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and the class horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through.

Even though he clearly enjoyed a very successful time of it, his runs at the back-end puzzled me a bit, and we did find that he was suffering from ulcers when we scoped him after Aintree. But, regardless, he is the one they have to worry about here. I suspect we will see a much fitter Taquin Du Seuil than we saw at Newton Abbot and he could the one for us to beat, though two or three in here will probably be fancying their chances against us first time up.

15:35 Asco - Black Thunder

Needed the run pretty badly on his reappearance at Newton Abbot and will strip a lot fitter today. But in my opinion I still feel that he is handicapped up to the hilt, and ideally he wouldn't want the ground to dry up too much more. You clearly can't write him off, as he is a very smart chaser on his day. but I suspect that he may need to come down in the weights and softer ground to be seen to better effect. Maybe in something like the Hennessy, but we will see.

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Paul Nicholls: The views on my three runners in France and Ireland today

15:05 Down Royal - Wonderful Charm

"This has been the plan for him for a while, and hopefully he will go well in a race that has cut up, though he meets three in-form rivals and he doesn't have that much in hand of two of them on official ratings."

Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls sends one raider to France and two to Ireland this afternoon for a couple of races that he has a great record in. Read the Ditcheat handler's exclusive thoughts on their chances here...

14:30 Down Royal - Rocky Creek

We have been lucky enough to win this race four times in recent seasons but this looks the hottest renewal for a long while. The likes of Gold Cup runner-up On His Own, Boston Bob and First Lieutenant are proven Grade 1 horses, while Nicky's Ma Filleule clearly has to be respected after running away with the Topham off a mark of 150 last season.

But hopefully Rocky Creek can take the step forward up to that level this season. He had his niggles and setbacks last season but he still delivered excellent performances in the Hennessy and Argento and - despite getting a case of ringworm before the race - he got us a bit excited when running so well for a long way in the Grand National, I can tell you!

But I just wondered that he wasn't finishing off his races, so we checked him out and gave him a breathing operation in the summer. It is a long season ahead and this is a proper race, but he is in good nick, he went well in a racecourse gallop with Silviniaco Conti at Chepstow last week, and does go well fresh, and this will tell us whether we go to the Hennessy with him or maybe aim higher.

14:45 Auteuil - Zarkandar

Take out Gemix and this Grade 1 lacks strength in depth, so for nearly £140,000 to the winner, we will happily take our chances. After beating The New One in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle in 2013, it was a little disappointing that he didn't get his head in front last season but he ran some excellent races, not least first time up at Ascot when failing by only five lengths to give Annie Power 11lb and when fourth in the World Hurdle.

And he ran ok in his two runs here over the summer. But he has had a good rest since and at one stage we were considering going for the Cesarewitch with him. However, that race came a touch too soon for him but he is in good order here. He runs in blinkers again and the services of Vincent Cheminaud, who is a good young French jockey who I think leads their jockeys' title by 20 or so winners.

Gemix is clearly the one to beat, and you'd have to give last year's winner Reve De Sivola a fair shout if he is at his best, but I think Zarkandar has a big chance. Three miles in heavy ground will be fine for him, he has a strong form chance and we recauterised his palate in the summer, which will hopefully help, too.

15:05 Down Royal - Wonderful Charm

If we have a good record in the JNwine.com Champion Chase then we have a pretty formidable one in this, as we have been lucky enough to win this race for the past six seasons. And we know that we are coming here with a fit and in-form horse with Wonderful Charm after his reappearance win in a good race at Newton Abbot.

I thought that I had him straight enough there, but it was still pleasing to see him get the job done, and I would have thought that would have brought him on again. This has been the plan for him for a while, and hopefully he will go well in a race that has cut up, though he meets three in-form rivals and he doesn't have that much in hand of two of them on official ratings.

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Paul Nicholls: The views on my three Musselburgh runners today

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Paul Nicholls: My Boxing Day runners at Wincanton

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Paul Nicholls: My Boxing Day runners at Kempton

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Paul Nicholls on the King George: I have a big chance of Boxing Day success at Kempton

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Paul Nicholls: The views on my four runners on Sunday afternoon

Paul Nicholls on Mcllhatton;

"But my horse is lightly-raced and improving, and ran a good third to African Gold over 2m4f in the soft at Doncaster last time. Today’s expected better ground will suit him just as well."

Incredibly the new national hunt season is upon us which signals a few months of summer jumping, and here Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls talks about his four runners on Sunday afternoon...

14:40 Ludlow - Oscargo

The new season came around bloody quick! And we are all back to zero again! It was only a weak race and he was the 4-9 favourite but he did it well at Chepstow last time and hopefully he can build on that here. But he will need to with the likes of Spirit River and Bold Chief against him, and this looks a much tougher race than Chepstow. Because of his breathing issues, we keep him to good ground.

15:25 Huntingdon - Mcllhatton

This looks quite a competitive little race and Shernando looks the one to beat. But my horse is lightly-raced and improving, and ran a good third to African Gold over 2m4f in the soft at Doncaster last time. Today's expected better ground will suit him just as well. We deliberately kept him as a novice until this season.

15:45 Ludlow - Spock

Won well over this trip on good ground at Worcester in May. Fell next time out when in with every race at Market Rasen, before finding 2m1f too sharp last time. I don't think he is especially well handicapped, but he is a good/fast ground horse, and this is his trip and his time of year. Goes well when fresh.

17:05 Huntingdon - No Loose Change

Bounced back to form with an impressive five length win at Kempton last time but the handicapper certainly was watching, as he has put him up 11lb. That obviously makes life much tougher today but 3m on good ground are his conditions, so let's hope that he hasn't been handicapped out of it.

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Paul Nicholls: Reflections on a season of ups and downs

"Considering we have not had the best of luck this season with injuries to some big names, to have won races such as the Charlie Hall, the Betfair Chase, the Paddy Power, the Lexus and the Aintree Hurdle is not too bad going."

With the National Hunt season drawing to a close, Paul takes time to reflect on a campaign that has been challenging for Ditcheat in many respects but has, in fact, been better than many people might have imagined

It did make me smile when someone mentioned to me the other day that we have had a 'disappointing' season. 

Because I don't think that we have had any such thing. In fact, with 130 winners on the board and over £2.3m in prize money, I think we have had a bloody good season.

Considering we have not had the best of luck this season with injuries to some big names - more of that later - to have won races such as the Charlie Hall, the Betfair Chase, the Paddy Power, the Lexus and the Aintree Hurdle is not too bad going.

Of course, I would have loved to have won the trainers' championship again. It was a honour to win it once, let alone seven times. But a trainer's job, first and foremost, is to win races and prize money for his owners and I think we have a done pretty good job on that front this season.

I didn't have the Seaborough horses this season - a lot of big yards have these satellite yards - and the 18 winners that we sent out from there in the last campaign. So 130-odd winners really pleased me, considering we had 138 in 2011-12.

Don't forget that we had three winners from five runners in Ireland, too, to net over £180,000 in prize money. And Tidal Bay provided one of the real highlights of the season when we coaxed him back to form, and probably a career-best, at the age of 12, culminating in a thrilling victory in the Lexus.

We clearly failed to reproduce the success we have had at previous Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, and Nicky is now in the situation where I was five or so years ago in terms of having a lot of the best talent for the big races, as well as real depth. But racing is like that, it is cyclical. And if I have anything to do with it, the wheel of fortune will rotate back to us.

Luck

It's fair to say that luck is one thing we haven't particularly had a lot of this season.

To lose Big Buck's and Al Ferof, two of the stable stars, on one December morning was a pretty crushing blow at the time, while losing other good horses, including Cristal Bonus, was very sad. Throw in the likes of Silviniaco Conti's fall in the Gold Cup and Tidal Bay's injury before the National and there was a theme of bad luck and what-might-have-been throughout the campaign.

But if we were in any danger of feeling sorry for ourselves, we were soon dragged into the real world with the crushing news of Dominic Baker's death in a car crash. We are one big family here at Ditcheat, and when Clifford lost his son, we all felt it too.

That was loss in the most starkest and darkest sense. It certainly put all the nonsense that surrounded Kauto Star's leaving the stable into perspective, too. 

Just as with Nicky and Sprinter Sacre, Kauto was probably the greatest horse I am likely to ever train and it was very sad to see him go in the manner he did and the resulting publicity. But it was a privilege to have him here for over nine years, and great to see him doing so well in his new career.

Looking ahead

So what does the future hold?

Well, if it is the start of a new era horse-wise - though we are not short of top class talent with Big Buck's, Al Ferof, Silviniaco Conti, Tidal Bay, Zarkandar and the like, as well as a lot of promising young horses  - it certainly is staff-wise. 

We combined an end-of-season staff party with Dan's leaving-do here on Monday night, and I am sure he will go on to prove himself in his own right just as much as Harry did this season. 

If he does fail as a trainer, then he looks to have a good stallion career in front of him at least, as he and Gracie are expecting their first child. Good luck trying to juggle a newborn and a new training career, Dan! 

He was not only one of my two right hand men here along with Clifford, he is also a great friend, too. So he will be a great loss in every respect.

But, as horses move on, so do staff. And I am sure my new assistant Tom Jonason, who has been here for three years and who has been shadowing Dan for the past six months, will step up to the plate. And David Prichard will take over Tom's role as pupil assistant.

The season finishes at Sandown on Saturday - I may not be collecting the trainers' title but Megan is receiving her award as the leading 148cm Pony Race Champion for last season - but the new challenge for us starts the very next day with plenty to run over the summer. They have been waiting nine months for their ground, so it makes sense for them to go out and enjoy it at last.

Let's hope that next season goes more smoothly than this one.  

Whatever fate throws at us, rest assured that we will be as determined and focused as ever. The best always bounce back, as Sir Alex and Man Utd have shown again this season, and I would like to think that myself and Team Ditcheat have that kind of winning mentality and strong work ethic. 

And as Alex has always said to me, you are only as good as your squad. So the pressure is on me to go out and find the next Robin van Persie, surely the signing, and the player, of the season! 

I have already bought what I think will be significant additions to the squad, and I'll name just five here: Vicente, On Blueberry Hill, Black River, Vesperal Dream, and Caesar Milan. And there will be plenty of more coming and goings in the summer.

But win, lose or draw, we will always give of our best. We owe it to the past, and the memory of Dominic, to make the best of whatever the future holds. It will be tough, but life invariably is.

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Paul Nicholls: Time to look forward after a disappointing week at Cheltenham

"Clearly, we had our disappointments on the track last week – none more so than Silviniaco Conti falling 3 out in the Gold Cup – but I don’t dwell on negatives. You can’t."

Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls puts a difficult Cheltenham week into perspective and looks ahead to Aintree where he'll have several runners...

I don't think that we need to go into too deep an analysis of the stable's performance at Cheltenham here.

Clearly, we had our disappointments on the track last week - none more so than Silviniaco Conti falling 3 out in the Gold Cup - but I don't dwell on negatives. You can't. Of course, disappointment surfaced and hurt in the immediate aftermath of races that didn't go our way at the Festival - I won't lie to you - but moping around and feeling sorry for ourselves serves no purpose. 

You have to look forward in this game, no matter what it throws at you. 

And looking ahead to next season, and strengthening the squad, I have already bought three new horses this week.

Besides, success on the week was put into perspective by the injury to JT McNamara. All our thoughts remain with JT and his family.

The importance on horseracing to everyday life was put into even sharper context by the tragic death of Clifford's son, 21-year-old Dominic Baker, in a car accident before the Festival. In the grand scheme of things, the fact that a few horses didn't come up to our expectations is pretty much an irrelevance.

And that is why I was choking back the tears after Salubrious won the boys' race on Friday. It was such an emotional win, and for all the team to be in the winners' enclosure, Clifford and his family, and mine, with Harry riding the winner, really got to us all. 

Clifford is some man in how he has dealt with the past few weeks. And you don't need to tell the joint-owners of Salubrious, Andy Stewart and David Johnson, just what cruelty life can throw at you either. 

Everyone knows what happened to Andy's son Paul, and how unyielding David has been in his fight against cancer.

But you won't find them feeling sorry for themselves, and men with a more positive mindset and mental strength, you couldn't wish to meet. So you won't find me feeling downbeat. After all, we have had some fantastic Festivals in the past and no doubt will do so in the future.

It is always onwards on upwards here and focusing on the positives - and we had a lot of placed horses during the week anyway, and lots that ran well - so we move on to Aintree.

And we have plenty of fresh horses to take to Liverpool. But, like everybody else, I really do hope that we get some decent ground. We won't make a decision on any of the Cheltenham horses until we get them back in full work next week, but I can tell you about my plans for plenty of my other runners that were kept back for Liverpool.

Irish Saint goes for the juvenile, but at the moment I have my eyes set on some French targets later on in the season for my Triumph placed horses Far West and Sametegal. 

Prospect Wells goes for the 2m4f Aintree Hurdle, a race in which World Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo and Champion Hurdle fourth Zarkandar are possibles too, though Celestial obviously has the 3m Liverpool Hurdle as an option too. Next week will tell us whether we have any runners in the Bowl, but we have Toubab (needs good ground), and possibly Rebel Rebellion, earmarked for the Red Rum Chase.

We have freshened Fago up and he seems to be coming back to himself again. He has the two mile novice chase as a possible target, as does Rebel Rebellion, and Pacha Du Polder has several options, including the Topham. Funny Star, not seen out since Aintree in October, could go for the 2m4f handicap hurdle. And I am looking forward to running Newbury runner-up Vago Collonges in the bumper.

And we have a couple of strong hands to play in the novice chases with Rolling Aces and Rocky Creek.

Michel Le Bon bounced back to form in blinkers last time and they will be on again as he bids to follow up in the 3m1f handicap chase, and we have Easter Day, Wilton Milan and Just A Par as possibles for the novice hurdles.

Then there is the Grand National itself.

It is hard to believe history will repeat itself after Neptune Collonges' win last year, but I have aimed Join Together at this race all season. He schooled well this week, is going to have a racecourse gallop early next week, and I am happy with him. Harry The Viking is also well after his Cheltenham run but would like the ground to dry up, and What A Friend will also have an entry for the Betfred Bowl because I wouldn't want him to be carrying top weight in a soft-ground National. We are keeping our options open with him.

So, after the nightmare of Dominic's death, we can dream. 

But if we wake up empty-handed on the Sunday after Aintree it won't be the end of the world.  

Far from it. 

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Paul Nicholls: Running Plans Update

"Pearl Swan has come on really well from his second in a jumpers’ bumper – where his run delighted me, in truth - and he would be my number one hope for the race."

Ambassador Paul Nicholls updates us on his running plans for next week.

I just wanted to update you on a few running plans.
I have spoken to John Hales this morning, and we plan to run Unioniste in the 3m novice chase on the Betfair Super Saturday card at Newbury on February 9th.
We won the race with Denman - who is due to parade next Saturday - before his win in the Sun Alliance in 2007 and this will tell us more about what Festival route to go down with Unioniste.
I have also scratched Tidal Bay from the Irish Hennessy next Saturday, as he won't be ready in time.
As you know, he missed the Argento as he was slightly lame. He is fine now, but I am not going to rush him. He will go straight to the Festival, and we will make a decision on what race he contests there nearer the time, when we have a better idea on the ground.
Back to Newbury next Saturday, Silviniaco Conti is on schedule to run in the Denman Chase and I will also be confirming three for the Betfair Hurdle; Pearl Swan, Dark Lover and Caid Du Berlais.
Pearl Swan has come on really well from his second in a jumpers' bumper - where his run delighted me, in truth - and he would be my number one hope for the race.

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Paul Nicholls: Of my Saturday runners, Keppols Hill has a great chance

Paul Nicholls on Keppols Hill:

"I would like to think he will go close to winning as everything appears in his favour, even though it is clearly a competitive little race."

Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls speaks frankly about the five horses he's sending out today...

13:30 Ffos Las - Sydney Melbourne

Showed fairly decent staying form on the Flat in 2010, and plenty of promise on his only hurdle start two seasons ago. Was off the course for the best part of two years with a leg injury before making his debut for us at Taunton in December, where I thought he would need the run and probably find the going too testing, all his form previously having been on good ground. So he delighted me with his second there, even if the form of the race is nothing to shout home about. Will hopefully show the benefit of that outing here today. But there are plenty of unexposed and exciting bumper and point winners in here against him.

13:50 Sandown - Toubab

I am sure that this horse has races in him off his current mark, but things haven't fallen his way in recent starts - though there was certainly nothing wrong with his second to Sprinter Sacre at Aintree in April. The problem we have for him at the moment is that he is essentially a good ground horse but we can't keep on holding him back for better going because it doesn't look like materialising for the foreseeable future, does it? So in the circumstances I thought he shaped promisingly on his reappearance in heavy ground over 2m1f in the heavy at Ascot,  tiring from 2 out after travelling well. It could be a similar story today but, like I said, I think he is on a fair mark.

15:00 Sandown - Gwanako

Is another who probably wants better ground, but he goes well fresh and goes well here, so let's see how he gets on. He has recorded two wins over 2m5f in hunter chases here and James Cowley, on board for the first of those successes, takes the ride.

15:35 Sandown - Keppols Hill

Should really have been unbeaten this season but finally came good at Chepstow last time where he beat Arthurian Legend by 2 ¾ lengths. The form of that race may not amount to a great deal - the runner-up ran poorly at Wincanton on Thursday - but he jumped really well there and Ruby thought he won with a bit in hand. This is one horse of mine who will not be unsuited by the testing conditions and I think a mark of 136 gives us something to work with; in fact, I would like to think he will go close to winning as everything appears in his favour, even though it is clearly a competitive little race.

16:20 Ffos Las - Toby Lerone

Winning pointer who has basically been disappointing in his three hurdle to starts to date, though he did look the likely winner when falling 3 out at Chepstow in December and the step back to 2m3f was not ideal at Exeter last time. The return to 3m will be more in his favour.

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Paul Nicholls: My Sunday runners at Musselburgh

Paul Nicholls on Sametegal:

"He won an admittedly modest race really impressively at Wetherby in November."

Paul Nicholls talks exclusively to Betfair about his intended runners at Musselburgh on Sunday afternoon...

13:30 Musselburgh - Aerial

154-rated chaser who was proving difficult to place, so we took advantage of the fact that he is a novice over hurdles and ran him in a Grade 2 over 3m at Cheltenham last time. And he certainly wasn't disgraced when finishing a 6 length second to Coneygree. Today's better ground shouldn't be a problem - in fact, his best chase performances for me probably came on good ground - so he must have a fair shout.

14:30 Musselburgh - Sametegal

Won an admittedly modest race really impressively at Wetherby in November. And Ruby was of the opinion there wasn't much between him and Far West. So we went to Doncaster for a better race expecting a good run, and he certainly ran well to finish a length second to Kashmir Peak, to whom we were giving 3lb. But in hindsight we perhaps could have made more use of him there. So perhaps he will be ridden differently today. But, either way, the bare form of his Doncaster run gives him decent claims - we have a 3lb pull with the winner, for starters - and I would be hopeful there would be improvement to come.

16:00 Musselburgh - Gwanako

The plan is to run him at Sandown on Saturday, but this is a safety net in case that meeting is off. 

16:30 Musselburgh - Salubrious

I think a combination of the trip and heavy ground counted against him last time, but hopefully 2m4f on better ground can see him to better effect here. He clearly bumped into one when second to At Fishers Cross at Newbury previously - though admittedly those behind him haven't advertised the form - and I think a mark of 133 is fair enough. Harry's 3lb claim in these conditional races is very handy, too.

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Paul Nicholls: Looking forward to Kauto's Friday gallop

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

You can read Paul here after Kauto's Friday gallop

Fresh from a busy morning at Ditcheat, Paul Nicholls provides an update on Kauto Star's progress...

Very little to report on the Kauto front today, but I said I would give a daily update, so here goes.

Kauto Star enjoyed his usual morning preparation before having two canters up the hill with Big Buck's and he continues to please us and head in the right direction.

So we look forward to his racecourse gallop at Wincanton tomorrow. I will give you an update in my column immediately after the work.

We have had a very busy morning here today, schooling on the grass.

Zarkandar went with Pearl Swan, and both looked particularly sharp. Brampour schooled with Prospect Wells, and Ulck Du Lin worked with Sonofvic.

Owner Graham Regan breaks the news that Niche Market has been retired following a tendon injury......

More good news from Ditcheat, as Paul Nicholls announces a change of plan for Kauto Star this Friday. He also explains why it's important not to get too excited just yet......

Paul Nicholls provides an update on the fitness of Kauto Star following the fall he sustained in schooling......

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Paul Nicholls: Kauto works with Big Buck's during recovery

/ Paul Nicholls / 07 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kauto pleased Paul and Clifford today

"Kauto did everything the other Festival horses did today."

Gold Cup second favourite completes the same work as Cheltenham-bound stablemates

Nothing major to report today but we are, thankfully, still heading in the right direction.

He once again had his physio and his hour on the walker.

And then he had a half-speed 10f canter with Big Buck's and then a canter up the hill with him, too.

In fact, all my Cheltenham horses did the same routine - so Kauto did everything the other Festival horses did today.

Clifford is still smiling and at one point I thought he was going to do Kauto's box roll for him!

Gold Cup second favourite completes the same work as Cheltenham-bound stablemates...

Another big announcement from Paul Nicholls this morning......

More good news from Ditcheat, as Paul Nicholls announces a change of plan for Kauto Star this Friday. He also explains why it's important not to get too excited just yet......

The Imperial Cup is the racing highlight on the weekend before Cheltenham and Nicholls could be double-handed for the competitive handicap hurdle......

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Paul Nicholls: Kauto Star will gallop at Wincanton on Friday

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 06 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kauto will gallop at Wincanton after racing this Friday

"Why the change of plan? Kauto had a racecourse gallop before he won the Betfair Chase and I thought it a better idea to give him a spin, and a good workout, on the grass away from home."

More good news from Ditcheat, as Paul Nicholls announces a change of plan for Kauto Star this Friday. He also explains why it's important not to get too excited just yet...

We upped Kauto Star's work again today.

He had his now regular morning physio and an hour on the walker - we should bring out an exercise video, as that routine is getting so much publicity - and then we gave him his most testing workout since his schooling fall.

We gave him two strong canters up the hill alongside my Fred Winter hopeful Ulck Du Lin.

And again I have to report that he came through it fine and I'm happy with him at the moment.

What particularly pleased me that, aside from looking great, he came back from the work and had a good roll in his box, always a good sign with him. He looks happy in himself and Clifford is smiling.

But I can reveal here that we have had a change of plan over the so-called 'D Day" home gallop on Saturday.

He will now gallop after racing at Wincanton on Friday instead.

Why the change of plan?

Well, he had a racecourse gallop before he won the Betfair Chase and I thought it a better idea to give him a spin, and a good workout, on the grass away from home. Ruby will ride and he will work with Mon Parrain.

Everyone can make their own minds up as to how he looks and works.

And if he does come through that ok, we will look to school him on Monday morning.

But I must stress that it is one step at a time, and it is important that people don't get carried away.

We aren't, just yet.

But we are heading in the right direction quickly, it seems.

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Paul Nicholls provides an update on the fitness of Kauto Star following the fall he sustained in schooling......

The Star's comeback continues at Ditcheat......

A bit of Kauto's swagger has started to return.

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Paul Nicholls: Physio and a ten furlong canter for Kauto

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 04 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kauto trades at 6.2 to win a third Gold Cup

"We will look to step up his work next week, and I will give a further update tomorrow."

The Star's comeback continues at Ditcheat...

Nothing major or new to report with Kauto Star today, so I will keep it short and sweet.

He had his physio and an hour on the walker, and then we gave him a strong canter over ten furlongs with That'll Do and Rowdy Rampage.

All was fine.

In fact, I bet he wishes we had left him in his stable and gave him the day off as it was pissing down!

We will look to step up his work next week, and I will give a further update tomorrow.

A bit of Kauto's swagger has started to return.

We have just had it confirmed this evening that Ranjaan (pictured with Ruby Walsh) has a small hairline fracture in his tibia, so is out of the Triumph Hurdle. It never rains, it pours. *** Earlier today, Paul updated on Kauto Star's recovery plan....

A day after breaking the news that Kauto Star suffered a fall while schooling, Paul Nicholls updates on the recovery plan ahead of Cheltenham.......

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Paul Nicholls: Ranjaan is out for the season

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 02 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

We have just had it confirmed this evening that Ranjaan (pictured with Ruby Walsh) has a small hairline fracture in his tibia, so is out of the Triumph Hurdle.

It never rains, it pours.

***

Earlier today, Paul updated on Kauto Star's recovery plan.

A day after breaking the news that Kauto Star suffered a fall while schooling, Paul Nicholls updates on the recovery plan ahead of Cheltenham.......

Much-awaited clash with Long Run hangs in the balance after two-time Gold Cup champ - and long time second favourite for 2012 running - takes a 'tumble' at Ditcheat...

The one highlight of last week was Zarkandar's performance in the Betfair Hurdle. Especially as he was one who came back from Newbury with filthy nose and cough.

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Handicappers' Corner: A hiccup for Nicholls?

Timeform Debate / Phil Turner / 21 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

It was largely a weekend to forget for the champion trainer

"On a positive note, that sole winner was Zarkandar (Timeform rating h158p), who maintained his 100% record over hurdles with a winning reappearance in the very valuable Betfair Hurdle..."

Dealing with an irritating cough can be a tricky business, so jumps handicapper Phil Turner has plenty of sympathy for champion trainer Paul Nicholls at present.

Even a trip to the chemist can be fraught with hazards, as American comic Jerry Seinfeld once bemoaned his dilemma in choosing between two bottles of cough mixtures billed as quick-acting or long-lasting - "when do I want to feel better, now or later?!?"

Nicholls would presumably plump for both bottles to ensure the outbreak of coughing which has hit his yard in recent days will be long gone by Tuesday March 13, the opening day of this year's Cheltenham Festival. In truth, "outbreak" may be overselling the problem - Nicholls has reported he has "several horses coughing" - but a haul of just one win from thirty-one runners on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is clearly a worrying sign given the yard's very high standards.

On a positive note, that sole winner was Zarkandar (Timeform rating h158p), who maintained his 100% record over hurdles with a winning reappearance in the very valuable Betfair Hurdle at Newbury's rearranged card on Friday. Although the bare form of that win still leaves him with plenty to find in regard to reigning champion Hurricane Fly (h174), Zarkandar remains open to further improvement and again displayed a very pleasing attitude at Newbury, particularly as he was arguably left with a bit too much to do in what was a messy race.

Indeed, Zarkandar seems set to head a four-strong team for Nicholls in the Champion Hurdle, which is reportedly the trainer's "most-wanted race" missing from his CV. His other Champion Hurdle hopefuls at this stage are Rock On Ruby (h165), Celestial Halo (h163) and Brampour (h159), the last-named gelding having shaped much better than the result suggests when a never-nearer seventh behind Zarkandar on Friday. Significantly, however, stable jockey Ruby Walsh is due to stay loyal to Hurricane Fly.

Celestial Halo, of course, came closest to providing Nicholls with that elusive first Champion Hurdle win when beaten just a neck in the 2009 renewal, but it seems most unlikely he'll be going one better come March 13 on the evidence of his comprehensive defeat by 2010 hero Binocular (h167) in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday. Binocular, on the other hand, has re-emerged as a live contender and arguably now makes more appeal than stable-companion Grandouet (h165), who was replaced by Binocular at Wincanton due to a late setback.

That minor blip with Grandouet has been a rare bit of bad news for Nicky Henderson as, in contrast to Nicholls, his team has been in rude health during February, with Binocular just one of several big-race winners for the yard at Newbury, Ascot and Wincanton on Friday and Saturday.

Henderson saddled a one-two in both the Betfair Denman Chase and the Betfair Super Saturday Chase (Game Spirit) at Newbury on Friday, thanks to Long Run (c182) and Burton Port (c166) in the former, plus Sprinter Sacre (c160p) and French Opera (c156) in the latter. It was a satisfactory return to winning ways for Long Run, particularly as he was conceding 10 lb to Burton Port, though the latter also emerged with plenty to credit on his return from a lengthy absence and must firmly enter the Grand National picture now.

Sprinter Sacre has long since headed the ante-post betting for the Arkle and he cemented his position as favourite with another breath-taking display in the Game Spirit, though the Nicholls-trained Al Ferof still heads (just!) the Timeform novice chaser ratings on c161.

Henderson's other main Cheltenham Festival novice chasing hope Bobs Worth (c152p) had to settle for second behind the Alan King-trained Invictus (c146p) in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot on Saturday, though connections were reportedly thrilled with the gelding's performance after a rushed preparation (had undergone breathing surgery since last seen on Boxing Day). Bobs Worth remains a top-class prospect, though his jumping will need to be more polished than on his last two starts if he's to fulfil his undoubted potential.

Roles were reversed in Ascot's main race on Saturday, with Henderson's Riverside Theatre (c171) proving too strong for the King-trained Medermit (c168) in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Riverside Theatre hadn't been seen since winning the 2011 renewal of the same race and looks every bit as good as ever judging by Saturday's convincing display - indeed, he appeals as one of the standout Cheltenham Festival bets at present given his current odds in the Ryanair Chase market.

Timeform look back at a weekend featuring a winning return for Riverside Theatre in the Betfair Ascot Chase, a double for Donald McCain on the Ascot card and a battling victory for Giles Cross in Haydock's Grand National Trial......

Timeform preview an excellent weekend of racing, featuring action from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton on Saturday, and Navan on Sunday......

The first race in the Timeform Blueprint Series is a 1200m World Sprint Challenge, featuring the undefeated Australian sensation Black Caviar. If you want to find out how she fared against the other best sprinters in the world, read on.......

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Cheltenham Gold Cup: Big two very closely matched says Nicholls

Latest News / Timeform / 07 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Long Run and Kauto Star

"If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite..."

Paul Nicholls believes there will be little to choose between old rivals Kauto Star and Long Run as the pair prepare to lock horns for a fifth time in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Long Run, rated 182 by Timeform, was victorious in both the Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase last season, and it seemed Nicky Henderson's star stayer had the measure of the legendary Kauto Star, who is five years older.

But the 12-year-old Kauto Star, now rated 1 lb behind his rival having been as high as 191 in the past, has bounced back this year, putting Long Run in his place in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before coming out on top again and securing an historic fifth King George win on Boxing Day.

With the scores at two each, the stage is set for another mouthwatering clash at Prestbury Park on March 16.

"If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite, but I suppose people think Long Run will be better suited to Cheltenham and he is the champion after all," Nicholls said.

"Without a doubt, Kauto is better than last season, and it is difficult to know whether Long Run has improved since last year, so it should bring them closer together."

Kauto Star, the joint-third highest-rated chaser in the history of Timeform, is already the first horse in history to regain the Gold Cup crown, and he now bids to repeat the feat and win the race for a third time.

The champion trainers feels the fact that his great rival and stablemate Denman is now retired could be key.

"Not having Denman in the race will also help, as he would harry and pressurise him (Kauto Star) at the top of the hill," Nicholls continued.

"The quicker they go the better early on, but then it's just a case of getting a breather in, and Kauto never had that chance with Denman up his backside.

"Last year, he wasn't quite finishing, but if we can get him a bit fitter, he should finish better up the hill."

Nicholls has been thrilled with how his veteran has taken his exertions this year and believes that has been an important factor in why he seems a better horse this season than last.

"He's cantered pretty much every day since the King George; we haven't been too hard on him but now's the time to up a gear. We've got five weeks to really tune him up and got some hard graft to do to get his fitness levels up, along with a bit of schooling," Nicholls told the Racing UK podcast.

"It took him a while to get over his races last year. These two races were like he was when he was at his very best. He was so fresh the next day. He's a confidence horse and there's no sign of ageing.

"Going into the King George, we thought Long Run would improve for his first run and thought he was the one to beat.

"But I was astounded at how Kauto had improved and looked before Kempton. I think it's even stevens between them now."

Long Run is currently trading as [3.25] favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Kauto Star next best at [5.2].

Blenheim Brook booked himself a ticket to next month's Cheltenham Festival with a fine performance in the novice chase at Ayr on Monday, the highlight of a treble for trainer Lucinda Russell....

Owner Dai Walters believes Oscar Whisky could head straight for a mouth-watering clash with Bug Buck's in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival......

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Cheltenham Gold Cup: Big two very closely matched says Nicholls

Latest News / Timeform / 07 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Long Run and Kauto Star

"If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite..."

Paul Nicholls believes there will be little to choose between old rivals Kauto Star and Long Run as the pair prepare to lock horns for a fifth time in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Long Run, rated 182 by Timeform, was victorious in both the Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase last season, and it seemed Nicky Henderson's star stayer had the measure of the legendary Kauto Star, who is five years older.

But the 12-year-old Kauto Star, now rated 1 lb behind his rival having been as high as 191 in the past, has bounced back this year, putting Long Run in his place in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before coming out on top again and securing an historic fifth King George win on Boxing Day.

With the scores at two each, the stage is set for another mouthwatering clash at Prestbury Park on March 16.

"If Kauto was four years younger, then he would be favourite, but I suppose people think Long Run will be better suited to Cheltenham and he is the champion after all," Nicholls said.

"Without a doubt, Kauto is better than last season, and it is difficult to know whether Long Run has improved since last year, so it should bring them closer together."

Kauto Star, the joint-third highest-rated chaser in the history of Timeform, is already the first horse in history to regain the Gold Cup crown, and he now bids to repeat the feat and win the race for a third time.

The champion trainers feels the fact that his great rival and stablemate Denman is now retired could be key.

"Not having Denman in the race will also help, as he would harry and pressurise him (Kauto Star) at the top of the hill," Nicholls continued.

"The quicker they go the better early on, but then it's just a case of getting a breather in, and Kauto never had that chance with Denman up his backside.

"Last year, he wasn't quite finishing, but if we can get him a bit fitter, he should finish better up the hill."

Nicholls has been thrilled with how his veteran has taken his exertions this year and believes that has been an important factor in why he seems a better horse this season than last.

"He's cantered pretty much every day since the King George; we haven't been too hard on him but now's the time to up a gear. We've got five weeks to really tune him up and got some hard graft to do to get his fitness levels up, along with a bit of schooling," Nicholls told the Racing UK podcast.

"It took him a while to get over his races last year. These two races were like he was when he was at his very best. He was so fresh the next day. He's a confidence horse and there's no sign of ageing.

"Going into the King George, we thought Long Run would improve for his first run and thought he was the one to beat.

"But I was astounded at how Kauto had improved and looked before Kempton. I think it's even stevens between them now."

Long Run is currently trading as [3.25] favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Kauto Star next best at [5.2].

Blenheim Brook booked himself a ticket to next month's Cheltenham Festival with a fine performance in the novice chase at Ayr on Monday, the highlight of a treble for trainer Lucinda Russell....

Owner Dai Walters believes Oscar Whisky could head straight for a mouth-watering clash with Bug Buck's in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival......

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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