Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Weekend Runners / Timeform / 21 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Nicholls will be hoping Michel Le Bon can bounce back to winning ways

"[Michel le Bon]...is considered 7 lb inferior to Cannington Brook at the weights, he could be far better than his form so far suggests..."

The recent outbreak of coughing at Ditcheat makes it difficult to anticipate what kind of form the Nicholls runners will arrive in this week but Timeform run the rule over some of the more interesting entries nonetheless...

Egypt Mill Spirit could get Nicholls underway on Friday, that one entered in the opening conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Sandown. Egypt Mill Spirit looks as though he could be better than his recent form gives credit for (see the '+' symbol accompanying his rating), but he has 25 lb to find with Donald McCain's Nowurhurling and it is difficult to envisage him bridging the gap. It is worth noting that Egypt Mill Spirit is also entered in the 16:10 on the same card, a contest of similar standard, in which stablemate Tigre d'Aron has a far greater chance of victory as he is considered a 25 lb better horse.

Workbench, Sky Watch and Foggy's Wall are the stable's trio entered for the bumper at Sandown. The former looked in need of the run on debut, shaping well before getting tired in the closing stages and, given his pedigree (half-brother to three winners over jumps in France), he could be a useful prospect. The other pair are unraced and it remains to be seen how effective they will be first time out but, as is always the case with Nicholls debutants, they are worth monitoring closely. Workbench and Sky Watch also hold entries at Chepstow and Kempton on Saturday.

Toubab and Cristal Bonus are the other two who could be head to Sandown on Friday, both entered in a novice chase scheduled to go off at 15:10. Cristal Bonus currently heads the field on Timeform ratings, judged 2 lb ahead of Toubab after an impressive chasing debut at Chepstow last time. Cristal Bonus also looks open to the further improvement and it remains to be seen which one takes his chance.

Dualla Lord, Bold Chief and Polisky are the three potential Ditcheat runners currently entered in the novice hurdle at Warwick card on Friday, with the former top-rated. Dualla Lord finished a narrow second last time at Taunton and, if building upon that performance, he has to go close. Polisky is considered 5 lb inferior to his stablemate and has a '$' accompanying his rating, suggesting signs of temperament. Bold Chief, who also has an entry at Fontwell on Sunday, remains a little behind the standard set by the other two but he is open to progression after a limited number of runs so far.

Dodging Bullets and Dildar both hold entries for the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle and the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday. A number of runners, including the Nicholls pair, will have their target unconfirmed at this stage but both contests are likely to prove strong Triumph Hurdle trials. Of the two races, the Adonis is traditionally the stronger contest, Zarkandar having won that race last year before going on to taste success at the Festival. That race looks to have the slight edge again this year with Grumeti and Baby Mix set to renew rivalry, whilst Sadler's Risk and Une Artiste are also entered. Grumeti holds entries for the two aforementioned juvenile hurdles on Saturday and is top-rated for both, with the Nicholls runners both having a bit to find with that rival.

Michel le Bon and Royal Charm are the two set to go in the Racing Plus Chase , the former needing to bounce back after a below-par performance in the Hennessy Gold Cup. That race came after a lengthy absence, however, and Michel le Bon did well for much of way before fitness eventually told in the final stages. He has been given ample time for recovery and, whilst he is considered 7 lb inferior to Cannington Brook at the weights, he could be far better than his form so far suggests. Royal Charm has struggled recently and he has it all to do at the weights.

The Knoxs looks to be the one other Nicholls Saturday runner worth a mention, the nine-year-old currently holding an entry for a handicap chase at Chepstow. The Knoxs is just 2 lb behind top-rated Buffalo Bob and he should be capable of improving past that rival if regaining the progressive thread. The Knoxs' was unable to strike a blow over three miles last time, finding very little in the closing stages having travelled well throughout, but he's lightly-raced enough to still have more to offer. The step down in trip to two miles is likely to suit and he could give those rated ahead of him plenty to think about if back to his best. It is worth noting that The Knoxs also holds an entry in a Grade 2 Hurdle race at Fontwell on Sunday and is considered second, only behind Duc de Regniere for that contest.

Sir du Bearn could round the weekend off for Ditcheat, that one entered in what looks a competitive novice chase at this stage. Sir du Bearn has a bit to find with his main rivals but we are expecting some improvement and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in stronger company.