Sean Trivass on how Britain's top trainer is warming up for the Festival…
Amazingly another year has gone in to the history books and it's that time of year again when a select group of racing journalists including yours truly are invited to various well known yards to see the major Cheltenham challengers in the flesh and listen to words of wisdom from their handlers.
On Tuesday a little light rain wasn't going to keep me away from the Paul Nicholls yard (and a break from the keyboard), and I arrived at Ditcheat (Somerset) like a child in a sweet shop – I do love my racing even after all these years. Sadly for Paul, the years of Master Minded, Big Bucks, Denman, and Kauto Star to name but four will take some repeating, and he seemed a little muted compared to his normal animated self but I still got the feeling he expects to leave next month's Cheltenham Festival with a winner or two even if they may yet catch the bookmakers off guard.
Twelve horses were led out and discussed (don't worry, we won't list then all!), but Paul made a point of making sure we were all aware that they were simply the ones housed nearest to the press gathering area and not the only ones with chances, though whether that was covering himself just in case only he knows. Saphir Du Rheu was the first horses paraded and I have to say he looked a picture. Last time out he won very comfortably which may well have been a confidence booster and led his trainer to say “He is back on track and won nicely at Kelso the other day….He fell in the Hennessy when I thought he has a big chance and that might have woken him up…” and I got the feeling that we are yet to see the very best of the eight-year-old gelding. That said, he was hardly oozing confidence ahead of the Gold Cup (a far more likely target though he is still in the Ultima Chase as well which he seems more likely to swerve) suggesting he may run fifth or sixth or sneak a place on a good day – a decent horse but others may have better chances for the stable in March.
Next on the list we have Dreamcatching who heads to the Fred Winter hurdle and there were certainly some positive vibes for the ex-French four-year-old who came in to his own with a win at Wincanton last time out. Apparently he ran way too freely at Kempton when pretty much tailed off but was described as …”a different horse at Wincanton… bolting in, and could not have been more impressive.” Considered progressive we must remember that the Fred Winter is a novices' handicap and although that win will see him off a higher mark, it should mean he gets in to the race on the day. I got the feeling Paul feels he may well be a few pounds ahead of his rating with any more improvement- certainly one to consider when writing out your Cheltenham bets.
Politologue was the next four-legged star wheeled out for the photographers and if I am not mistaken I did see a glint in his trainer's eye when talking about this one. Cheltenham has always been his seasonal aim with the JLT Chase the target as things stand, and a big run is clearly expected. Always expected to do better over fences (apparently), he has won three of his four starts over the larger obstacles with his latest win at Kempton particularly eye-catching though he is hardly a dark horse and is uncertain to represent as much value as some, though a big race is clearly anticipated.
One time Champion Chaser Dodging Bullets looked well enough to me but Paul seemed to admit that he is no longer the force of old and that they will be dropping their sights a little with regard to his future entries. Last seen at Newbury he has come out of that in good form and will be sent to the Grand Annual Chase on the Friday afternoon, his first venture in to a handicap at the age of nine off a rating of 151 which certainly looks workable for a horse who has been rated as highly as 171 at his peak.
El Bandit is a handicapper worthy of consideration and will head for the Pertemps Final if all continues going to plan. He owes connections nothing after five wins in a row from May to October last year and bounced back to his best with another win last time out at Musselburgh when Paul admits he thought he wasn't quite ready after over two months off and with an added four pounds for that he could well land each way bets in a very competitive heat, though better still, Paul thinks he will be even better over fences next season and he is one for the notebook for future profits.
The Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase closes off the first day at the Festival and the Nicholls yard seem likely to be run Romain De Senam who was spoken of in pretty glowing terms. Paul's body language suggested he likes him a lot ahead of his next race and by definition that means he must think he is well handicapped and perhaps ahead of his rating. Only a baby at the tender age of five he is apparently crying out for two and a half miles and finds two miles too short for him (hence a poor run at Doncaster last time out) and could be one of the stables outsiders with a half decent shout stepped up in trip if I am not mistaken.
Two more to mention and they both look to have pretty serious chances starting with Movewiththetimes who could well be an each way shout for the ever-competitive Supreme Novices Hurdle that starts the whole meeting. Paul mentioned that the six-year-old will be better suited by the expected going at Cheltenham and after a half length second to Ballyandy in the Betfair Hurdle last time out, his chances are written in the form book. Reverting to novice company again for either this race or the Neptune on the Wednesday, he ought to find the company exacting but a little easier to cope with, and at a price he seems a live wire chance to add to the stables win roster.
Last but most certainly not least, and if I had to nail my colours to the mast, I would say that the current Champion trainer feels Coillte Lass may well be his best chance of success all week. She is all set to head to the Mares' Novice Hurdle on Thursday where the return to that sort of company could well see success. Last time out she took on Vroum Vroum Mag at Doncaster and ran well enough in third and as the winner is currently entered in six races at the Festival including the Champion Hurdle, the Gold Cup, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase, that form looks rock solid in novice company again.
