Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

After landing the Grand National for the first time last weekend, Paul Nicholls' team will be brimming with confidence for the week ahead...

Bold Chief and Polisky look likely to get Team Ditcheat underway at Cheltenham on Wednesday, the duo both currently holding an entry for a novices' hurdle over an extended two and a half miles. Of the pair, Bold Chief looks the more likely winner given his openness to progression on just his third start over timber, having impressed with the way travelled last time and also demonstrating a likeable attitude in the closing stages. Polisky, on the other hand, has suffered from temperamental issues in the past.

The highlight on the Cheltenham Card on Wednesday is the Grade 2 Silver Trophy Handicap over two miles and five furlongs. Nicholls looks to have a decent chance in this contest with both Woolcombe Folly and Aerial set to go to post. The pair are joint top weight for Wednesday's event but Aerial looks likely to have a better chance given his recent form, whereas Woolcombe Folly has largely disappointed throughout the year. Both have plenty to find with the Timeform top-rated Divers but, with Nicholls in such good form, they can both be expected to give a good showing.

Round Tom is another Cheltenham entry for Wednesday afternoon with a novices' handicap hurdle over three miles in the offing. Round Tom is considered only 1 lb inferior to David Pipe's Water Garden and he could go close after being switched back to hurdling, having had his last two starts both come over the larger obstacles. Round Tom remains relatively unexposed despite his age and there could be a bit more to come from him in the future.

Mr Hudson is the most interesting of the remaining Nicholls runners, the exciting novice entered over three miles and a furlong. Mr Hudson has impressed in two starts over fences so far, jumping with great zest and winning with ease last time. He looks open to significant progression on just his third start for over the larger obstacles and he should be thereabouts, despite being rated 5lbs inferior to Frascati Park on current figures.

A handicap chase at Cheltenham on Thursday looks to be interesting from a Nicholls viewpoint with Michel Le Bon and Aldertune both currently in the line-up. Both have a fair amount to find with Helpston, who currently heads the Timeform ratings, despite Michel Le Bon arguably possessing greater ability than his recent form gives credit for. The pair would both require improvement to be competitive in a handicap of this nature but they are lightly-enough raced to surprise in a wide open race.

Michel Le Bon also holds an entry in the very next race on the Cheltenham card, a handicap hurdle over three miles. Nicholls has Sonofvic, Themilanhorse and Sire Collonges entered at this stage and it will be interesting to see which of the quartet take their place in the line-up.

Dildar is likely to be Nicholls' first runner of this year's Scottish Grand National meeting with the four-year-old juvenile entered in a hurdle contest over two miles at Ayr on Friday. Dildar looked a decent hurdler in the making on debut at Taunton travelling well and putting the race to bed despite making some jumping errors before disappointing in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last time. He has had a break since, however, and it will be fascinating to see how he goes in lesser company.

The handicap chase scheduled off at 16:00 looks to be the most interesting of the remaining races with The Knoxs, Gwanako and Rebel du Marquis all currently entered. Gwanako is the highest of the three in terms of Timeform weight-adjusted ratings but Rebel du Maquis' return is highly anticipated after he looked to be on an upward curve when seen towards the tail end of the summer jumps season. There is just 2 lb separating all three Nicholls runners and it is unconfirmed as to which has this race as an intended target.

The Scottish Grand National is the focal point this weekend and Nicholls has a live chance of completing a Grand National double with Harry the Viking currently trading as favourite for the big race. Harry the Viking ran an impressive trial behind Teaforthree when last seen in the amateur chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and he looks tailor made for this type of contest.

There are also two graded contest on Saturday afternoon from Ayr with Nicholls double-handed in both the Future Champion Novices' Chase and the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

Doesslessthanme and Pacha du Polder are Nicholls' runners for the novices' event with the former having shaped particularly well in recent starts, winning at Hereford and Newton Abbot on his latest two outings. He has a fair bit to find with Menorah, who will be difficult to beat if turning up but that one's participation is far from guaranteed given his exploits at Aintree last week, and Doesslessthanme could definitely be one to watch out for.

Ted Spread and Edgardo Sol are the two entered for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, with the latter the higher rated of the pair. Edgardo Sol is only 5 lb inferior to Charm School based on the figures but his recent triumph is handicap chase company suggests he is improving all the time and he could be a little bit better than his hurdles form gives credit for. Ted Spread has shaped as if in advance of his current handicap mark already this season but he was unable to put it together on his latest two outings and he has to be treated with caution at present.

Timeform / 17 Apr 2012