Paul Nicholls' View: Tragedy at Newbury but the show goes on

The Champion Trainer gives us his views on the awful events at Newbury that took the lives of two horses.

Plenty has been said about the tragic events at Newbury yesterday and I think we should now let the necessary investigations come to a conclusion before commenting further.

But I am just thankful that Al Ferof came back safe and well from the racecourse - winning the race was an irrelevance in the circumstances - but I would just like to pass on my sincere condolences to the connections of the horses that died.

Having lost Watamu Bay here at Ditcheat in midweek, I know how all those close to the horses - from the owners and trainers to the lads and lasses who look after them on a daily basis - must be feeling.

But the sobering aspect of horseracing is that, as a seven day a week sport, the show goes on regardless.

We are all racing again today, and making plans.

Silviniaco Conti is in many ways the forgotten horse of the Champion Hurdle - he was after all giving Menorah 4lb when beaten five lengths in the International - and he goes to the Kingwell at Wincanton next week, and soft ground will suit him there.

That promises to be a hot race and will tell us a lot more as to where we go next, but he needs soft ground. Maybe the 2m4f race at Aintree will suit him better than the Champion Hurdle, but let's see.

I will tell you more about my weekend runners on Saturday but they will include Pride Of Dulcote in the Betfair Ascot Chase and The Minack in the Reynoldstown.

Editor / 13 Feb 2011