Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Kauto Stone impressed with a second place finish in Saturday's Tingle Creek, but the highlight of the weekend for Nicholls was a Grade 1 victory for Al Ferof...

Jump City (now Timeform rated 128+) got things underway for Nicholls on Friday afternoon, but he could manage no better than fourth place in the Grade 2 Winter Novices' Hurdle over two and a half miles at Sandown, well beaten by Fingal Bay and Simonsig. Jump City had seen things out well at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance over two miles, but the extra distance seemed to stretch him and he was found wanting in the final stages after taking a keen hold. Jump City remains open to progress back over two miles but lacks the potential of the first two, who will be difficult to beat in the championship races this season.

Royal Charm was Nicholls' only other runner at Sandown on Friday but he was unable to atone for his stablemate's defeat, crashing out three from home whilst still on the bridle in the three mile Intermediate Chase.

Black Thunder (124p) was the first Ditcheat representative at Sandown on Saturday and he finished a promising second behind Tetlami on his hurdling bow. He was momentarily outpaced by the principals as Saturday's contest began in earnest but he stuck to his task well and stayed on well to finish as close as he did, with races over two and a half miles likely to be well within his compass in future. Black Thunder should have little trouble winning a similar event and he is in the right hands to continually progress as the season takes shape.

Poungach (149p) soon got Nicholls in the Sandown winners' enclosure, scoring by an impressive margin in the Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier. Poungach put in a dominant performance under Ruby Walsh to justify the market support he had duly come in for, appearing to be suited by the step up in trip to two miles and a six furlongs. Poungach is thoroughly unexposed in this sphere and looks the sort to develop into an even more promising chaser, despite making a few mistakes in the jumping department. He can be excused those errors on the grounds of inexperience, however, and definitely looks one to follow over the coming months.

Al Ferof (155p) completed a quick-fire double for Messrs Nicholls and Walsh in the next race, jumping impeccably and fending off the late challenge of For Non Stop in the Grace 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase. Al Ferof will have the Arkle as his main end of season target but backers were less than impressed with Saturday's winning margin of a neck, with John Hales' grey remaining at [7.8] for the Cheltenham Novices' showpiece. Al Ferof had travelled well for much of Saturday's contest, however, and he could still come into his own at Cheltenham in the spring, as was the case in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, so the price currently still available could be viewed as good value at this stage of the season.

Edgardo Sol was unable to complete a hat-trick of victories in the following race, finishing fourth behind Ubi Ace in the listed Handicap Hurdle. He was some way below the form he demonstrated to win at Cheltenham on his previous run (rated 135), and there is an inclination that he may be better going left-handed, Edgardo Sol tending to jump out to his left throughout the contest and making a crucial mistake at the second last to end his chance of victory. Prior to this performance, Edgardo Sol had looked to be a hurdler on the upgrade, and he may prove worthy of another chance if reverted to an anti-clockwise track.

Kauto Stone (still rated 160) attempted to follow in the footsteps of his famous half-brother, Kauto Star, later on the Sandown card, but he could only manage second place in the Tingle Creek behind the electrifying Sizing Europe, who put in a top round of jumping. Saturday's performance was still promising from Kauto Stone, however, given that he is likely to perform better if faced with a stiffer test of stamina, sticking on well for second despite having little chance of overhauling the winner. A graded race over two and a half miles is surely his for the taking at some stage this season.

Niche Market was Nicholls' best performer of the afternoon at Aintree on Saturday, and he put in a good round of jumping to finish second behind West End Rocker in the Becher Chase. This is the second time that Niche Market has put in an impressive jumping display over these fences and a third tilt at the Grand National in April looks to be his end of season target. Niche Market's performance on Saturday was all the more promising, given that his best performances in the past have all come on ground much faster than the testing conditions experienced at Aintree, and at this stage of the season, he looks Nicholls' main chance of breaking his Grand National duck.

Themilanhorse ensured that team Ditcheat rounded off the weekend with a victory, landing a maiden hurdle by a length from the well-backed favourite Tour d'Argent at Warwick. This was Themilanhorse's second start over hurdles and it goes without saying that he remains open to further progress. A similar contest could be his for the taking in the short-term, however, and a switch to fences could be within his compass, given he is a close relation of former smart chaser, Nick Dundee.

Timeform / 5 Dec 2011