Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

The Long Walk Hurdle is the feature race this weekend and it would be a huge surprise if Big Buck's failed to extend his unbeaten tally to 14 straight victories...

The first runner for the Nicholls yard on Wednesday is Minella Stars in the three mile handicap chase (12:50) at Newbury. A fairly useful hurdler, Minella Stars shaped as if he'd be better for the run/experience when a well-held third to Old Wigmore on his return/chase debut at Exeter three weeks ago and he remains open to improvement. That said, he will do well to hold sway over a number of similarly promising types in what could prove an informative race.

Polisky, who runs in the same colours, is arguably the most interesting of the remaining four Nicholls runners on Wednesday, entered in the 19f "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle Qualifier at the same track. Polisky demonstrated form bordering on smart in a Grade 2 last time, finishing third behind Fingal Bay and Barbatos at the Cheltenham Open Meeting a month ago and, with the form of that contest solid (the four who sandwiched him have since gone on to win or place), he deserves his place as Timeform top-rated.

Pasco, who looks to have a difficult task in trying to withstand the challenge of Time For Rupert (rated 15 lb his superior) in the Betfair Graduation Chase thirty five minutes later is Nicholls' other runner on a quality Newbury card.

Switching to Bangor, Garton King is set to go to post for the three mile handicap hurdle at 14:20. Three-time point winner Garton King has had just the one start for Nicholls so far, but was victorious on that occasion when putting in a smart round of jumping to see off a fairly strong field of amateur-ridden novice hurdlers with relative ease. The form from that race has worked out particularly well with the third and fourth winning next time and Garton King could clearly has a bright future ahead of him, like most Nicholls' horses, likely to be seen to best effect when sent chasing in due course.

Hold Fast, Royal Charm and Ghizao are all entered in a a graduation chase at Exeter on Thursday, though the latter is unlikely to participate given his exertions in last Saturday's December Gold Cup. There is very little to choose between the other two, however, with Hold Fast considered marginally superior in terms of Timeform ratings, but still 3 lb adrift of standard-setter Rougham. Hold Fast, who should come on for his seasonal reappearance at Newbury, is also entered in a handicap at Ascot on Saturday.

Royal Charm also holds more than one entry this week, with a similar graduation contest at Ascot on Saturday on his radar too. The Ascot contest is over two and a half miles and looks the hotter race, however, with Colin Tizzard's Hell's Bay, considered 12 lb superior Royal Charm on weight-adjusted ratings, due to take his chance. Nicholls also has PP Gold Cup fourth Aerial entered.

Rocky Creek is a fascinating entry for the champion trainer on Friday, the full brother to Tell Massini set to line up in a maiden hurdle at Ascot. Rocky Creek made a promising debut for the yard in November when finishing second behind Allthekingshorses in what appeared to be a strong novice at Exeter, and he's highly likely to improve with that experience behind him.

The Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle is the racing highlight this weekend and, as is always the case, Big Buck's will again be the one to beat. Saturday's contest, now held at Ascot, will mark Big Buck's' first career appearance on a right-handed track but that should prove inconsequential and the great horse is very likely to extend his unbeaten sequence to thirteen straight victories. Stable-companions Celestial Halo and Five Dream also currently entered for the race.

The Silver Cup is the following race on the Ascot card and the champion trainer is currently triple-handed with Promising Anshan, Neptune Collonges and The Minack entered. Neptunes Collonges has struggled in handicap company on his last two starts and, given his lofty mark at the age of ten, it's difficult to envisage him winning. The Minack and Promising Anshan have more realistic chances of victory though, with the former particularly interesting given his all-round progressive profile.

The final race on the Ascot card is the Ladbroke Hurdle, one of the most competitive handicaps of the season and Nicholls currently holds three entries, with Prospect Wells, Brampour and Tonic Mellysse all being considered. Brampour has landed two handicaps already this season and confirmed himself a smart hurdler when third behind Grandouet in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last Saturday. Whilst he could remain competitive off his current mark, it is the unexposed Prospect Wells who looks the most likely winner from Ditcheat, having already marked himself out as one of the leading novice hurdlers this season.

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Timeform / 14 Dec 2011