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Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

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There are plenty of interesting runners for the Nicholls yard this week as we head into the thick of the Jumps season, with Kauto Stone's debut at Down Royal a potential highlight...

Sollim looks the most interesting of the Nicholls runners on Wednesday when lining up in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Chepstow (14:20). Sollim has demonstrated form in excess of what is usually required to land an average renewal of such a contest on his three starts so far (first two in France) and is considered to be 26 lb clear of nearest rival Lamps. Sollim looks an interesting prospect for the remainder of the season and it will be fascinating to see how he performs on just his second start for the yard.

The trainer also saddles point winner Merrion Square in the opening maiden hurdle (13:15) and The Gossmoor Yank, off the track since October 2009, in the handicap hurdle (15:30), both at Chepstow.

A relatively quiet Thursday for the champion trainer with Harry The Viking in a novice hurdle at Towcester the solitary entry. Harry The Viking proved himself a thorough stayer when taking a three-mile event at Chepstow last time, shaping as if further improvement can be expected in both the short and long term. That said, Thursday's race is over three furlongs shorter and, having raced in snatches on that latest start, it remains to be seen whether he will have the requisite speed to land a second victory in as many starts.

Egypt Mill Spirit kicks off on Friday in what appears to be a strong conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Fontwell. On ratings, he looks to have it all to do and is currenltly considered 31 lb inferior to David Pipe's African Broadway, but Egypt Mill Spirit did demonstrate promise when third at the track last time, picking up well from over three out, despite taking a while to settle. There are definitely races to be won with him.

Presenting Arms is arguably the most interesting of Nicholls' Friday runners, the four year old due to make his debut in the closing bumper at the same course. Jamie Snowden's Miss Milbourne currently sets the standard, having already shown form good enough to land an average renewal of the race, but Presenting Arms is out of a mare who won both on the Flat and over hurdles, and runners from the Ditcheat yard are always to be respected in such contests.

Followers of the trainer will be eagerly anticipating the stable debut of The Knoxs on Saturday and the eight year old is currently entered in handicap chases at both Kelso and Sandown. The Knoxs produced some useful performances for Howard Johnson last season and ended the campaign with victories at both Carlisle and Sedgefield, the latter race working out particularly well with three of those behind having won since. The Knoxs is by no means the finished article and, while his jumping has sometimes been a cause for concern, he has only had four starts over the larger obstacles and further experience is sure to bring about plenty of improvement.

Over at Wincanton on Saturday, the stable is currently double-handed in Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase , with The Gossmoor Yank (entered 15:30, Chepstow, Wednesday) and Silviniaco Conti currently entered. Silviniaco Conti has the greater chance of winning, having put in a creditable effort behind Cue Card on his chasing debut earlier in the month. The extra two furlongs will play to Silviniaco Conti's strengths and, given that he is open to further improvement, he could well be the one to beat.

The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle comes just half an hour later on the same card and is another contest in which Nicholls currently holds dual entries. Celestial Halo will be looking to get his season underway with another victory, having taken this contest in 2009, whilst Sanctuaire will be aiming to bounce back from pulling up at Sandown in April when last seen. The pair both have something to find with Donald McCain's Overturn, who is currently Timeform top-rated, but Nicholls has a good record at the track and it would be folly to rule either out.

The Nightingale is Paul's sole entry in the Grade 1 JNWine Chase over at Down Royal on Saturday, and he should be in the mix if reproducing the form he demonstrated when landing a Grade 2 at the meeting last year. That effort was followed by a disappointing display in the King George where he was pulled up after shaping as if amiss, but if back to his best then he should hold every chance. Sizing Europe is currently Timeform top-rated, considered 9 lb superior to his closest rival, but there are question marks over whether he's as good at three miles as over two, where as The Nightingale's stamina is assured.

Kauto Stone will be attempting to follow in The Nightingale's footsteps later on the Down Royal card as he looks to land the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase on his first start for Nicholls. Kauto Stone is a half brother to Kauto Star and comes to Britain with a lofty reputation, having landed several graded events in France. He will be one to follow if possessing anywhere near the level of ability of his famous relation and is currently considered the second-best horse in the race in terms of ratings. Quito De La Roque sets the standard, after showing consistent improvement last season to mark himself as one of the leading staying novice chasers and, if both at their best, the clash between the pair will definitely be one to savour.

Curtain Razer appears the most interesting of the Ditcheat runners on Sunday and he goes in a staying novice hurdle at Ffos Las. Curtain Razer is a well-bred individual as a close relation to Hear The Echo, but the market may be the best indicator of his chances with little form available to conclusively assess the chances of many of his rvials. Merrion Square (entered 13:15, Chepstow, Wednesday) is another Nicholls entry who will be making his racecourse debut in what looks an intriguing contest.

Elsewhere on the Ffos Las card, Double Expresso is entered in a limited handicap chase for novices, whilst Edgardo Sol , who is also entered earlier on in the week and may take up an engagement at Kelso on Saturday, has entries in two of the afternoon's handicaps.

Timeform / 1 Nov 2011

Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Weekend Runners RSS / / 01 November 2011 / 5

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An exciting week lies ahead for the champion trainer.

An exciting week lies ahead for the champion trainer.

"Kauto Stone is a half brother to Kauto Star and comes to Britain with a lofty reputation, having landed several graded events in France."

There are plenty of interesting runners for the Nicholls yard this week as we head into the thick of the Jumps season, with Kauto Stone's debut at Down Royal a potential highlight...

Sollim looks the most interesting of the Nicholls runners on Wednesday when lining up in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Chepstow (14:20). Sollim has demonstrated form in excess of what is usually required to land an average renewal of such a contest on his three starts so far (first two in France) and is considered to be 26 lb clear of nearest rival Lamps. Sollim looks an interesting prospect for the remainder of the season and it will be fascinating to see how he performs on just his second start for the yard.

The trainer also saddles point winner Merrion Square in the opening maiden hurdle (13:15) and The Gossmoor Yank, off the track since October 2009, in the handicap hurdle (15:30), both at Chepstow.

A relatively quiet Thursday for the champion trainer with Harry The Viking in a novice hurdle at Towcester the solitary entry. Harry The Viking proved himself a thorough stayer when taking a three-mile event at Chepstow last time, shaping as if further improvement can be expected in both the short and long term. That said, Thursday's race is over three furlongs shorter and, having raced in snatches on that latest start, it remains to be seen whether he will have the requisite speed to land a second victory in as many starts.

Egypt Mill Spirit kicks off on Friday in what appears to be a strong conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Fontwell. On ratings, he looks to have it all to do and is currenltly considered 31 lb inferior to David Pipe's African Broadway, but Egypt Mill Spirit did demonstrate promise when third at the track last time, picking up well from over three out, despite taking a while to settle. There are definitely races to be won with him.

Presenting Arms is arguably the most interesting of Nicholls' Friday runners, the four year old due to make his debut in the closing bumper at the same course. Jamie Snowden's Miss Milbourne currently sets the standard, having already shown form good enough to land an average renewal of the race, but Presenting Arms is out of a mare who won both on the Flat and over hurdles, and runners from the Ditcheat yard are always to be respected in such contests.

Followers of the trainer will be eagerly anticipating the stable debut of The Knoxs on Saturday and the eight year old is currently entered in handicap chases at both Kelso and Sandown. The Knoxs produced some useful performances for Howard Johnson last season and ended the campaign with victories at both Carlisle and Sedgefield, the latter race working out particularly well with three of those behind having won since. The Knoxs is by no means the finished article and, while his jumping has sometimes been a cause for concern, he has only had four starts over the larger obstacles and further experience is sure to bring about plenty of improvement.

Over at Wincanton on Saturday, the stable is currently double-handed in Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase , with The Gossmoor Yank (entered 15:30, Chepstow, Wednesday) and Silviniaco Conti currently entered. Silviniaco Conti has the greater chance of winning, having put in a creditable effort behind Cue Card on his chasing debut earlier in the month. The extra two furlongs will play to Silviniaco Conti's strengths and, given that he is open to further improvement, he could well be the one to beat.

The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle comes just half an hour later on the same card and is another contest in which Nicholls currently holds dual entries. Celestial Halo will be looking to get his season underway with another victory, having taken this contest in 2009, whilst Sanctuaire will be aiming to bounce back from pulling up at Sandown in April when last seen. The pair both have something to find with Donald McCain's Overturn, who is currently Timeform top-rated, but Nicholls has a good record at the track and it would be folly to rule either out.

The Nightingale is Paul's sole entry in the Grade 1 JNWine Chase over at Down Royal on Saturday, and he should be in the mix if reproducing the form he demonstrated when landing a Grade 2 at the meeting last year. That effort was followed by a disappointing display in the King George where he was pulled up after shaping as if amiss, but if back to his best then he should hold every chance. Sizing Europe is currently Timeform top-rated, considered 9 lb superior to his closest rival, but there are question marks over whether he's as good at three miles as over two, where as The Nightingale's stamina is assured.

Kauto Stone will be attempting to follow in The Nightingale's footsteps later on the Down Royal card as he looks to land the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase on his first start for Nicholls. Kauto Stone is a half brother to Kauto Star and comes to Britain with a lofty reputation, having landed several graded events in France. He will be one to follow if possessing anywhere near the level of ability of his famous relation and is currently considered the second-best horse in the race in terms of ratings. Quito De La Roque sets the standard, after showing consistent improvement last season to mark himself as one of the leading staying novice chasers and, if both at their best, the clash between the pair will definitely be one to savour.

Curtain Razer appears the most interesting of the Ditcheat runners on Sunday and he goes in a staying novice hurdle at Ffos Las. Curtain Razer is a well-bred individual as a close relation to Hear The Echo, but the market may be the best indicator of his chances with little form available to conclusively assess the chances of many of his rvials. Merrion Square (entered 13:15, Chepstow, Wednesday) is another Nicholls entry who will be making his racecourse debut in what looks an intriguing contest.

Elsewhere on the Ffos Las card, Double Expresso is entered in a limited handicap chase for novices, whilst Edgardo Sol , who is also entered earlier on in the week and may take up an engagement at Kelso on Saturday, has entries in two of the afternoon's handicaps.

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(5)

  1. paul | 02 November 2011

    sizing europe was only beaten 4 lenghs by kauto star over 3 miles last season (and he kept on )MAXIMUM BET to see off the likes of the nightingale who has only run over 2miles 4 furlongs and is no certainty over 3 miles.Who ever writes this article has got the horses distances mixed up ! (since when has the nicholls horse won or ran well at 3 miles !).

  2. Anonymous | 03 November 2011

    You have to be joking if you think SE stays 3m. He's a 2 miler thru and thru. Nightingale might not stay either but more chance than SE for sure.

  3. The Ken | 03 November 2011

    It's strange to keep seeing them campaigning Sizing Europe over this distance.

    Owners clearly want to win a Gold Cup. I'd take a couple of Champion Chases than an unplaced Gold Cup finish.

  4. paul | 04 November 2011

    sizing europe has won a 2m 4 fur chase on heavy gd,he was 2nd to kauto star over 2m 7 fur,so to say he is just a 2 miler shows you know nothing about racing.Post back when he wins the 3 mile chase on sat !

  5. bob | 05 November 2011

    I dont think SE will be able to jump out of this ground to win over 3m? QDR will love it as will The Nightingale
    If you look at his win over 2m4f here last season he could have gone around again nevermind another 4f
    He is proven to be best 1st time out and this is his target for the season. He looks the winner to me in a race that will tell you much