The Industry View / Paul Nicholls / 20 March 2011 / 7

As the dust settles on Prestbury Park after an excellent four days of racing, Paul Nicholls tells Betfair why this year's Festival has left him with lots to think about and many reasons to be cheerful...

Cheltenham this year was one of the best Festivals I can remember. Three winners, some great performances in defeat, and we were only a short head away from emerging as the top stable from the week.

We came out of it £118,000 or so in front of Nicky, and we still have plenty more bullets to fire in the latter part of the season.

Here are my thoughts on some of my leading lights of the week. Plans are not set in stone for any of them but this is my current thinking:

Al Ferof: I was obviously delighted to win the first race of the Festival, and get Ruby on the board so soon. Al Ferof won't run again this season. Even though the Supreme was clearly a very good race - it was actually faster than the Champion - I don't think he is a horse that wants to stay hurdling too long. We will school him, put him away, and bring him back for a novice chase in the autumn, maybe at Exeter.

Ghizao: Found the ground too quick and lost any chance with a blunder four out. He will go to Aintree, in the 2m race if it is soft or the 2m4f if it is better ground.

Gullible Gordon: The National remains the plan with him.

Definity: One of my mistakes of the meeting, running him in the 2m4f race on that ground instead of the 3m Stewart Family Spinal Research handicap. He could go for the 3m handicap at Aintree.

Rock On Ruby: Ran a great race, only getting collared in the final stride in the Neptune. The form of his earlier second to Bob's Worth is clearly very solid form and the target now is the 2m4f race at Aintree.

Aiteen Thirtythree: Has come back with sore shins, and Daryl said he was like a car with flat tyres coming down the hill. He will be prepared for the Hennessy.

Master Minded: We were nervous of the ground beforehand, and he wants further when encountering that ground in the future. Will go for the 2m4f at Aintree and he will possibly be prepared for the King George

Woolcombe Folly: Didn't get the run of the race, made a mistake two out, but wasn't at his best. Will go for the 2m handicap at Aintree, where Ryan will take 5lb off.

Robinson Collonges: Was bitterly disappointing. Never jumped or travelled. Could go for the 3m novice at Aintree or even the 3m handicap hurdle there.

Poquelin: Undoubtedly disappointing but perhaps he just isn't a Grade 1 winner; could go to Aintree or the Cheltenham April meeting.

Big Buck's: Nothing much more to say about him. Goes to Grade 1 at Aintree, as in previous years.

Zarkandar: To win the Triumph like that on his second start was awesome, and I think we have a Champion Hurdle horse on our hands; goes to Aintree.

Sam Winner: Was taken off his feet early but came from nowhere to finish fourth: has always been a chaser in the making and will not run again this season.

Brampour: Ran a good race in ninth in the Triumph but it could be that he is better on a flat track; goes to Aintree, where he could take in the older-age novice hurdle.

Kauto Star: I'll say this again - we have no plans to retire him. I thought his excellent third would have answered those questions. Could go to Punchestown.

Denman: Has come out of the race amazingly well, and it is possible he could go to Aintree.

Neptune Collonges: Found the ground too quick but actually ran a fair race. I've yet to speak to John Hales about his next target but he could be interesting in something like the Scottish National. Is ground-dependent though.

What A Friend: As we suspected, better ground and blinkers saw him post a much improved effort in the Gold Cup. Could run in the Totesport Bowl at Aintree but on good ground he is highly likely to run in the Grand National.

King Of The Night: Was going well when falling. Runs in a handicap at Aintree.

Indian Daudaie: Ran an excellent race in fourth for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club and we will look for a 2m4f novice hurdle for him now.

Tricky Trickster: Suffered a hairline fracture of a bone in his neck when falling at Ayr on Saturday; is in a bad way and the next four or five days will be crucial. Hopefully he will make a full recovery.

Other than these, we still have plenty of others to run that bypassed Cheltenham - horses like Silviniaco Conti, Rebel Rebellion and Royal Charm.

Ever wanted to be in the winning enclosure with Paul at the Cheltenham festival? Indian Daudaie gave members of the Timeform Betfair Racing Club that experience when finishing fourth in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. You can join the Timeform Betfair Racing Club today. Click HERE to find out more.

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1. Richard | 20 March 2011

   Glad to hear King Of The Night is ok and being aimed at Aintree, looked a horrible fall he took.

   Even more excited that Master Minded could be aimed at King George, would be mouthwatering clash with Kauto and Long Run.

2. Mark Brownridge | 20 March 2011

   Sam Winner, I thought he ran a cracker after been taken off his feat early, lovely prospect.

   You mention fences next year, what do you see as his trip? Is 2 miles too sharp?

3. lewi38 | 21 March 2011

   well i hope tricky trister survives all best to the owners i dont really agree with kauto not being retired as he seemed to be stoping at the end of his race and i think the horse has not only done enough i think hes had a hard enough times through the last few years and deserves a good retirement just hope its not a decision u live to regret . with denman i think as long as hes not overun he has another year in him, ghizao will def run better next time i think as he was beet when he hit the fence and his better than that looking forward to aintree and puchestown .

4. Dave Hollingdale | 21 March 2011

   Super Cheltenham Zarkander I I think a bit special. What a friend pleased me cos everybody told me I was an idiot to back him and what a cracking race he ran.
   Only a punter I know but I really hope he doesn't run in the national it is in my humble opinion far too soon and I would have thought he has too much class to be risked.

   Wonder if Paul reads this feedback.

5. Margaret Leigh | 21 March 2011

   I was really pleased to have been at cheltenham on Friday and see Denman and Kauto come home to the biggest cheers. They are true stars of racing and they have done more for the sport than anything else. I would like to see them enjoy a long retirement now, as I feel they have done enough

6. phil | 21 March 2011

   you have not mentioned just amazings poor run in the foxhunters very disapointing had everything in his favour ground,trip and course but was beaten before halfway.

7. darren kershaw | 24 March 2011

   paul can you please tell us what ruby said when he got off sam winner? i dont think he looked a stayer he positively sprinted up the run in other day . looked as if ruby whas looking after the horse in the middle part of the race. arkle winners always want further but surely this fellla is your number 1 novice chase prospect next year ? arkle next year ryanair the year after then gold cup the year after that . i would say hes one of your best ever prospects

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