Paul Nicholls: Back to hurdles for Sonofvic

Paul brings exclusive news on three horses from the yard, leading with Sonofvic's return to the smaller obstacles...

After jumping and running so disappointingly at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, we have decided to send Sonofvic back over hurdles for the rest of the season.

He ran a great race first time up over fences when second to Grands Crus at Newbury, but Monday told us that he needs more time and experience, and he clearly isn't a Sun Alliance horse on that form.

So we will keep him as a novice over fences for next season. With more experience and runs under his belt, he will be fine.

He is only very lightly-raced, winning both his hurdles last season, and the plan is for him to maybe have three more runs this season, possibly starting in a handicap hurdle at Sandown on February 4. He is currently rated 141 over hurdles.

A couple of more interesting snippets while I am on.

We had to abandon third lot today, as the wind and rain was horrific here from 10.30am to 12.30pm. I have never seen rain like it in my 20 years here at Ditcheat.

But, perhaps more interestingly, I have entered both Al Ferof and Kauto Stone for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 21.

The more likely runner in that race at this stage is Al Ferof, as I am currently favouring the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18 for Kauto Stone.

Paul Nicholls / 3 Jan 2012