Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Paul Nicholls saddled winners on both Thursday and Friday, and continued the trend on Saturday. Timeform give an overview of how his runners performed...

The first to add to the yard's tally on Saturday was five-year-old grey Merehead, when winning a 13-runner novices' handicap hurdle at Ascot (13:55). After just three runs over hurdles last season, Merehead had the potential to improve and duly delivered on his handicap debut and first start since March, taking a good hold behind the leaders and overcoming a blunder at the seventh to win by three and a quarter lengths from recent Fontwell winner Psi. Merehead looks set for a good season.

The double was brought up just over an hour later at the same track by the year- younger Brampour, who improved to a smart level on his handicap/seasonal debut when taking a two-mile listed event in the hands of promising 7-lb claimer Harry Derham. Although there's the suspicion that Brampour will show his best over further in time, he certainly has enough speed to deal with the minimum trip providing there's a strong pace and the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 13 could be his next stop. Both horse and jockey look to have bright futures.

Other Nicholls runners to create a positive impression over the weekend were Round Tom, Promising Anshan and Provo.

After a distant second to Ongenstown Lad in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham mid-way through the month, Round Tom reverted to novice chasing at Wetherby (13:40) and looked booked for a close third but for falling at the last. He'd travelled strongly in touch for most of way and, though his jumping had thrown up several scares (tended to be low), he can win more races in his grade.

A winning pointer and then winning hurdler for Charlie Mann, Promising Anshan took well to chasing upon joining the Nicholls yard last winter and ran a fine race on his return from eight and a half months off when third to Exmoor Ranger (trio clear) in the three-mile Grade 3 United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot. Although Promising Anshan's challenge was undone by jumping left at last, he had otherwise travelled and jumped very smoothly and, as the race was only his fifth start over fences, it'll be a surprise if he doesn't have more to offer.

Provo made his debut in the closing bumper at Ascot (17:25) and, although green and noisy beforehand, showed more than enough ability to suggest he's capable of winning races. Disputing a slow pace early on, it wasn't surprising he suffered for a turn of foot late on (dam out of bumper-winning half-sister to very smart chaser at up to 3m Our Ben), and he has a future as a jumper.

Saturday also saw low-key seasonal returns from What A Friend (typically shaped as if keeping something back but better over fences, anyway), and Poquelin (failed to stay three miles) at Wetherby, as well as Niche Market (uncharacteristically lacklustre) at Ascot. Takeroc shaped as if finding his race at Ascot coming too soon after winning at Aintree just six days previously.

The yard were without a runner on Sunday.

Timeform / 31 Oct 2011