Paul Nicholls: A selection of horses to follow...

The Team / Paul Nicholls / 07 October 2011 / 2

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Zarkandar is a value bet for the Champion Hurdle

"The pick of my juvenile hurdlers at this stage are Hinterland, Dildar and Ranjaan. But Zarkandar showed last season how slowly horses can take to get the hang of things at home, and how quickly they can progress once they get on the course."

With plenty of new arrivals at Manor Farm Stables it's not easy for Paul to provide a definitive list of horses to follow but he picks a handful of names to focus on all the same...

As I have mentioned elsewhere, I have more new recruits in the yard than ever before this year - well over 50 if you factor in the arrivals from Graham Wylie - so it is still a case of "getting to know you" with a lot of them.

As such, I could give you any number of Ten To Follow lists and miss out some high fliers.

In fact, I hope as many as possible surprise me as much as the likes of Silviniaco Conti did last year.

But two novice hurdlers that I know I would suggest following are Polisky and Jump City. And I clearly rate Sam Winner as a 2m novice chaser, and in that department look out for Escort'men, too.

At 2m+ on the chase front, the aforementioned Silviniaco Conti is an obvious horse to keep on side, as is Al Ferof. He is on target for Bangor on November 9, where I gather Peddlers Cross is an intended runner, too. That should be worth the entrance fee alone.

The pick of my juvenile hurdlers at this stage are Hinterland, Dildar and Ranjaan. But Zarkandar showed last season how slowly horses can take to get the hang of things at home, and how quickly they can progress once they get on the course.

I am really looking forward to seeing Michel Le Bon back on the track after two years out with a leg injury, and you could just see him in the Hennessy if we can get a run into him first.

Ghizao is the horse I am aiming at the Haldon Gold Cup, where he will lock horns with his old rival Captain Chris again (incidentally I think Sam Winner could be taking on Menorah on that Exeter card).

Kauto Stone is another horse that excites but the highest rated horse in the yard now is Master Minded on 178, and I have backed him at 7-1 for the King George. He is only rated 4lb behind Long Run.

But if you asked me to have another ante-post bet I would possibly say Zarkandar for the Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly will be a tough nut to crack but he is [2.7] on Betfair and my horse is available at bigger than [11.0]. I believe in him and I think he is a speedier horse than Celestial Halo, who won the Triumph and who only lost out by a neck in the Champion Hurdle the following year. It is too early to say if the breathing operation has improved him, but fingers crossed.

Looking elsewhere, two horses that I would nominate as top-class novice chase prospects are Grands Crus and Peddlers Cross. Hopefully, the latter will start off on a losing note behind Al Ferof at Bangor next month!

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jay | 07 October 2011

When you won the champion trainers title,you introduced a new type of champion trainer.

Personable, open and convivial.

Long may you reign.

Thank you.
mike holmes | 22 November 2011

your open handed attitude is a breath of fresh air in thge close world of racing. so answer this one WHY did you not mention or take if you had the choice Back in(to)? view, the best looking and performing 3 mile hurdler we saw last year--on the SOFT and owned by Mr Wylie. Best wishes and thanks.