Leopardstown Betting: Paul Nicholls on Indian Daudaie's chances

This rescheduled Grade 1 is a stiff test for Indian Daudaie but Paul is hopeful of a first win since moving to the stable. Read the full verdict here

13:10, Leopardstown
Indian Daudaie joined us after finishing second in a Grade 1 at Auteuil in November - though he was beaten 15 lengths by Tanais Du Chenet - so we haven't had him that long. But he has done nothing but please us since his arrival, improving physically, and I was delighted with his third at Cheltenham.

I thought he would need that outing, so to finish under 5 lengths third to Local Hero, giving it 3lb, was a great first effort for us and a run that put him up there with the best of my juveniles.

Harry thought they were always going a little too quickly for him on the ground at Cheltenham, so the softer conditions here will definitely suit. I was thinking of the Victor Ludorum at Haydock but the track could have been a little tight for him there, so we decided to bite the bullet and go for this Grade 1 race.

Of course, the race was abandoned last Sunday, but that has given him an extra week to get over his Cheltenham exertions, so theoretically that works in our favour.

My pupil assistant Tom Jonason dropped him off at Ted Walsh's yard on Sunday before driving Pride of Dulcote, who now goes to the Betfair Ascot Chase, back to Ditcheat.

Poor old Tom then filled up the little lorry with Indian Daudaie's usual food and hay and went straight back over to Ireland on Monday morning. The horse has been cantered every day, with Ruby keeping an eye on things.

I can't stress how important it is for the horses to have the food that they are used to at home, more so the nuts than the hay. It is crucial.

Indian cantered again at the Curragh on Thursday to help keep him fresh, and the extra time seems to have really helped, as Tom reports that the horse felt great.

I am sure if Indian wins, then Ruby will claim him as training a Grade 1 winner with the first horse sent out under his care, and Timeform have him 9lb clear of the home contingent. But they are an unexposed bunch and I hear that Unaccompanied is strongly fancied and will be hard to beat.

But, to re-iterate what we said last week, without giving too much away, we wouldn't be afraid to make much more use of him at Leopardstown.

So let's hope he gives a good account of himself for the Timeform Betfair Racing Club. Slippers Madden rides.

Incidentally, Ruby continues to make progress in his recovery, and is hoping to start race riding at the end of the month. And hopefully he will be fit and able to ride Niche Market for me at Newbury on March 5.

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View Paul's three strongest fancies here

Paul Nicholls / 12 Feb 2011

Leopardstown Betting: Paul Nicholls on Indian Daudaie's chances

Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 12 February 2011 / 1

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Indian Daudaie in the yard

"I was thinking of the Victor Ludorum at Haydock but the track could have been a little tight for Indian Daudaie, so we decided to bite the bullet and go for this Grade 1 race."