Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

The Lanzarote Hurdle is the big prize this weekend and the Champion Trainer is currently double-handed in what looks a very competitive renewal, but before then he could have a handful of runners at Fontwell on Thursday...

Doeslessthanme gets Nicholls started on Thursday, in the two-and-three-quarter mile novice chase (13:35) at Fontwell, but he's got a bit to prove after finishing runner-up on all three starts since falling at Hereford. He looked stretched by 21f at Wincanton last time and probably isn't straightforward, either, so it might not be as easy for him as the ratings suggest, 2 lb clear of the field by Timeform's reckoning.

Bold Chief and Oscarslad are next up in a staying novice hurdle (14:05) at the same track.

The race could mark the hurdling debut of Bold Chief, a winning pointer who finished fourth behind Colour Squadron in a bumper over two miles at Chepstow in October. The step up in trip will play to his strengths, and the market should guide as to how he's been jumping at home. Oscarslad has already had two runs over timber, showing moderate form on both occasions, and it could be the case that he will prove better as a handicap chaser in future. The standard set in the race is likely to be relatively high, with Kim Bailey's Harry Trooper (Timeform rated 132) currently heading the field. It is worth noting that Bold Chief also holds an entry for a similar race at Wetherby later in the week.

Paul's other runner at Fontwell on Thursday is Presenting Arms who is currently entered in the closing race of the afternoon, a bumper. He looked to be one of the yard's lesser lights on debut, finishing fifth in an ordinary affair at Plumpton, and he will have to step up markedly to prove competitive.

Paul isn't represented at either Musselburgh or Huntingdon on Friday, but he should have a handful of runners on Saturday.

Garton King holds novice chase entries at both Wetherby and Warwick. He's had two starts over hurdles so far, with a victory at Exeter followed by a fourth at Bangor, but his defeat last time looked just a blip (had won three points prior to going hurdling) and further progress can definitely be expected, especially now he gets a chance over fences. Frascati Park currently sets the standard at Warwick and Mac Aeda does likewise for the Wetherby race (which is over shorter), and the former contest looks the stronger of the two.

Take The Breeze is entered in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier at Warwick and goes into the race on the back of a creditable effort. Sixth in a similar contest at Aintree back in October, he showed himself in good heart when fourth in a handicap chase last time, but he does have a fair bit to find with the principals, which could include David Pipe's Water Garden and Warren Greatrex's Knight Pass.

Nicholls could have four runners at Kempton at the weekend, with Pearl Swan looking an interesting contender in the opening race on their Saturday card. Pearl Swan is a French recruit who had fair form on the Flat for John Hammond last year, but a lot more about his future prospects will be known after the race.

Grandioso is all set to run in a 21f novice hurdle later on the card but he has a fair amount to find with the current Timeform top-rated, Captain Sunshine. Grandioso finished third on his hurdling debut behind two next-time-out winners but, whilst he remains one to be positive about, Saturday's contest may come a bit too soon for him. He is likely to improve for his debut run, however, and he could run into a place, but it is asking a lot of the five-year-old gelding to win a contest of such magnitude.

American Trilogy and Domtaline are the Ditcheat pair entered in the Lanzarote Hurdle (14:50), the feature race on Saturday, but both have work to do to figure in the finish.

There isn't much to separate the market principals and a number of the field retain a Timeform 'p', suggesting more improvement to come, so more will definitely be needed from the Nicholls duo. Of the pair, Domtaline has the better chance, as he's still relatively lightly raced and the form he showed behind Grandouet last time looks even better after that one landed the International at Cheltenham. American Trilogy has struggled on right hand courses in the past, given his tendency to jump left, and he may be seen to better effect on an anti-clockwise circuit in future, Kempton having posed him problems last year when last of three behind Captain Chris over fences.

Timeform / 11 Jan 2012