Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

More high-quality entries for Nicholls this week, with Tataniano just one of many runners capable of adding to the champion trainer's haul of big-race victories...

Escort'men will be getting things underway for Nicholls on Wednesday, running in a Novices' Chase at Hereford (13:20), and he looks to have a good chance on Timeform ratings, being 7 lb clear of his nearest rival. Escort'men has had two starts over fences thus far, showing promise on debut when second behind Balzaccio before unseating at Kempton last time. There seems little reason why he shouldn't prove so good over fences as hurdles and his experience might just give him the edge over the chasing debutante Kumbeshwar, who was of a similar standard over hurdles.

The following Novice Hurdle (13:50) at Hereford looks quite a warm race, but Forgotten Gold is a non-runner and Nicholls' point winner Final Gift makes obvious appeal against the current favourite Gullinbursti.

There is just one entry from Ditcheat on Thursday's Wincanton card, namely Sang Bleu in the Beginners' Chase at 13:40. Sang Bleu has some strong juvenile hurdle form to his name, but has been let down by his jumping on both starts over fences so far and will have his work cut out against the likes of Alan King's Habbie Simpson and Philip Hobbs's Duke of Lucca.

There are far more engagements for the yard from Friday onwards and we'll just pick out a few of interest, starting with Poungach in an above-average Novices' Chase at Exeter on Friday afternoon (he's also entered in a handicap hurdle at Sandown on Saturday). The winner of a bumper on his debut, Poungach looked a smart prospect when running away with an Ascot novice hurdle last winter and is just the type to take to fences, so while acknowledging that Notus de la Tour sets a good standard, Poungach could well be capable of matching it.

Jump City could also line-up on Friday afternoon in the Grade 2 Winter Novices' Hurdle over two and a half miles at Sandown. This year's renewal looks a particularly hot contest, with Fingal Bay setting the current standard after his impressive win last time out at the Cheltenham Open Meeting. Jump City is currently considered 16 lb inferior to Fingal Bay based on Timeform ratings, but he has had just the two runs and is clearly in excellent hands, so that improvement cannot be completely ruled out.

Royal Charm is another interesting entry for Friday, and he may well take his place in the Future Stars Listed Chase at Sandown. This year's renewal looks a strong one, however, with some of last year's leading novice chasers in the line-up, including the likes of Quito de la Roque and Boston's Angel. Royal Charm remains unexposed, though, and he could run well if getting his seemingly favoured softer conditions and the field is reduced as expected, with the aforementioned Irish pair far from certain to take their place in the line-up.

Meanus Dandy and Niche Market will be carrying the hopes of team Ditcheat at Aintree on Saturday afternoon in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences. Any Currency and Nicto de Bauchene are currently top-rated for the contest but Niche Market is only 4 lb behind that pair whilst the other Nicholls charge is a further 5 lb adrift. Niche Market is likely to be aimed at the Grand National once again this term, having finished fifth in the race last season, and his experience over these fences could hold him in good stead for Saturday. Meanus Dandy unseated in the Becher Chase last year off a 2 lb lower mark, but he put in a solid performance on his seasonal return at Wincanton and shouldn't be overlooked. Interestingly enough, the pair are dual entered, with the London National Handicap Chase at Sandown also on their agenda.

Tataniano is likely to be Nicholls' representative for the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown this weekend and he looks an improved horse this year after a career-best on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month.

Tataniano finally delivered the high-class performance he had so often threatened, jumping and travelling with zest to see off a fair field by eight lengths. The performance he put up on that occasion would be close to the standard usually required to land a race of this magnitude, but this year's renewal has an above average feel to it. Sizing Europe makes his way over from Ireland and the reigning Champion Chaser currently heads the Timeform ratings. Tataniano is a high quality horse and is likely to be competitive in all of the best two mile chases this season with the Champion Chase likely to be his long term target.

Nicholls also has Kauto Stone entered for Saturday's feature but it is worth noting that this is a precautionary entry and he is only an intended runner should the ground turn soft, with Kauto Star's half brother far more likely to take up an engagement in the Peterborough Chase or the John Durkan.

Sir du Bearn is arguably Nicholls' most fascinating runner on Sunday afternoon, and he is set to make his seasonal reappearance in a Beginners' Chase at Warwick. Sir Du Bearn has had just the one run for Nicholls so far, finishing second behind Nadiya de la Vega on his chasing debut last season having joined the yard from Jean Pierre Totain. He is the type of horse that will improve in time and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in a race where he is clear on Timeform ratings.

Opening Batsman could well round off the week if taking up his engagement in the final National Hunt Flat Race on the Warwick card. His second placed finish on debut is considered 12 lb inferior to the standard set by Warren Greatrex's Jigsaw Puzzle, but it is entirely possible that the Nicholls runner improves for the experience having hung right in the closing stages when put under pressure.

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Timeform / 30 Nov 2011