Friday Racing: Paul Nicholls on his runners at Fakenham and Sandown

The weekend starts early for the Nicholls yard with two runners apiece at Fakenham and Sandown on Friday...

Fakenham

14:00

Promising Ashan

Has run three nice races in handicap chases for us, last time out being beaten a length by Cornish Sett at Wincanton. Has a good opportunity to get his head in front in this Beginners' Chase, and maybe the Kim Muir is an option after this. One of his opponents is Nodforms Paula, who left us after disappointing at Newbury in November, as he was beaten when unseating his rider there. We always thought a bit of him, so let's hope he goes well on his first outing for Milton Harris.

San Remo Bello

Won a hurdle in the French provinces before finishing a fair fourth on his debut for me at Stratford in October. Has had the winter off because he wants good ground. This is actually a very decent race, but he needs to finish in the first four to get qualified for the EBF Final. Is fit and well after his break, and has a nice chance, especially as the 2m4f trip should suit him better.

Sandown

Blu Teen

Not actually trained by me (though he used to be, winning a couple of races for The Stewart Family) but will be a Ditcheat winner if he does oblige here, as he is trained by one of my best pals, Dave Staddon, who lives in the village. Dave trains Blu Teen on our gallops and let's hope he can add to his Sandown Hunters' Chase win last year.

Just Amazing

Is one of my 10 entries in the Grand National. Last seen out on a racecourse when he finished sixth in the Whitbread (sorry Bet365 Gold Cup), where he came back jarred up. He needs to finish first or second in two Hunters Chases before March 1 to qualify for the Foxhunters' at Cheltenham, so that is our immediate target. Needed a lot of time after Sandown and as a result only came back in on New Years Day, so he will improve a deal for the run. But he is in good order and would be the highest rated of these on his Cheltenham novice chase win last year.

Read my three best chances for today by clicking here.

Paul Nicholls / 18 Feb 2011