Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Another high quality list of entries for Paul Nicholls this week, and Timeform take you through some of the more notable runners, including Kauto Star and Master Minded...

Tonice Mellysse makes his chasing debut on Wednesday afternoon in a 3-runner four-year-olds event at Exeter and, if he can transfer his hurdling ability to the larger obstacles, he looks to be in with a good chance of victory. Tatispout currently sets the benchmark as she's the only runner with fencing experience, but Nicky Henderson's ex-French filly Tornade d'Estreval is an interesting contender. However, with Tonic Mellysse having shown better hurdling ability than both of his rivals, the Nicholls runner should be capable of getting the week off to a good start.

Rolling Aces looks to be one of the more intriguing runners for the champion trainer on Thursday as the winner of a three-mile Irish point in March makes his debut under Rules in a staying novice hurdle at Wincanton. Romulus D'Artaix currently sets the standard on Timeform ratings and would have won two of the last three renewals if producing his best, but it will be interesting to see how the Nicholls newcomer compares. Oscarslad and No Loose Change , who both share a similar pointing background to Rolling Aces, are also entered at this stage and it could be worth noting which of the trio are declared.

Doesslessthanme, Heez A Cracker and Flaming Gorge (ran at Plumpton on Monday) are all entered in a limited handicap chase for novices at Hereford on the same afternoon but, of the three, it is probably the former who holds the greatest chance of victory. Doeslessthanme will be making his handicap debut and, given his relatively lenient opening mark of 134, could well be expected to follow up his recent success at Fontwell. Granted, Doeslessthanme may have a bit to find on Timeform ratings, but it will be just his fourth chase start and he strikes as one capable of building upon what he has shown so far.

After finishing second behind chief rival Lancetto at Cheltenham last time, connections of Toubab will be hoping he can go one better in a graduation chase at Haydock on Friday afternoon . Toubab made a promising start to his chasing career on that occasion and seemed to take to the larger obstacles like a natural, jumping and travelling with zest for much of the race before a possible lack of fitness eventually got the better of him. Toubab should be capable of reversing the form.

Sang Bleu and Bold Addition are both dual entered on Friday and it is expected that one will take up an engagement in a beginners' chase at Ascot, while the other competes in a novices chase at Haydock. Sang Bleu, who did try his hand at chasing last season, and Bold Addition reached roughly the same level of form over hurdles so it will be interesting to see which of the two takes better to chasing this time round.

Kauto Star's seasonal reappearance is the undisputed highlight of jump racing on Saturday afternoon as he bids to land a fourth Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock. Unsurprisingly, Long Run currently heads the Timeform ratings, 14 lb superior to both Kauto Star and Donald Mccain's Weird Al, but Nicky Henderson's King George and Gold Cup winner needed the run when beaten in last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup. That said, whilst Kauto Star put in a brilliant performance to finish third in last season's Gold Cup, he another six months older and Long Run probably won't have to be at his very best to confirm that form on Saturday.

National Hunt fans could be rewarded with a further treat on Saturday with Master Minded currently entered for the Grade 2 Amlin Chase at Ascot where he is set to take on the likes of Captain Chris, Somersby, Kalahari King and Medermit in what will clearly be a top renewal. Master Minded won the corresponding race twelve months ago but disappointed on his return this season, finishing a well beaten third behind Albertas Run in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, despite having beaten that rival by ten lengths over the same course and distance in the spring. It is heavily expected that Master Minded will come on for that run, however, and he remains 5 lb clear of his nearest rival on Timeform ratings.

King of The Night is just about the most fascinating of the other Nicholls runners on Saturday afternoon as he bids to land the hat-trick in the Grade 3 Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.King of the Night has shown vast improvement already this season to win two competitive handicap hurdles, the latest of which was boosted by the recent victory of First Fandango, but further progression will be need if he's to defy another hike in the handicap in a race that could feature a whole host of well handicapped individuals.

Minella Stars is set to make his chasing bow on Sunday afternoon having previously contested two hurdle races in what has been a relatively short career top date. A win in a maiden at Hereford was followed up with a third-placed finish Newbury, but Minella Stars has the profile to come into his own over fences and is an worthy addition to the chasing ranks. That said, Full of Joy will set the standard and should prove difficult to beat considering he is rated 11 lb superior to his closest rival.

That'lldoboy completes the action this weekend as he looks to follow up his Wincanton victory earlier this month in a handicap chase at Exeter. That'llbodoy delivered on the promise he had previously threatened that day, running out a three length winner last time and, with further improvement to be expected in the jumping department after just two chase starts, he will remain of interest off an 8 lb higher mark.

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Timeform / 15 Nov 2011