Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

A successful weekend overall for the Champion Trainer, capped by Big Buck's extending his unbeaten sequence to 15 in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day...

Pearl Swan got things underway for at Cheltenham on Saturday with an improved performance in the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial, marking himself out as a juvenile to follow. Pearl Swan finished first past the post before losing the race in a resulting stewards' enquiry but it was a very good performance nevertheless, giving the useful Grumeti 3 lb and a short-head beating. Pearl Swan looks capable of going close in the Triumph Hurdle itself in March, though it's likely that there will be little between himself and the Alan King runner should they meet again.

That'lldoboy was a disappointing faller in the following race despite going off the well-backed favourite and travelling well for much of the contest. His form was closely tied in with that of the winner - Bless the Wings - and it would have been interesting to see how he would have fared had he not departed three from the finish. That'lldoboy could be an interesting prospect for one of the Cheltenham Festival handicap chases but he has now fallen on his last two outings.

Nicholls was triple-handed in the third race, fielding Poquelin, Aerial and Woolcombe Folly in the Murphy Group Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. Poquelin did best of the trio and produced an effort near his very best at a course he clearly loves, finishing second off of a BHA mark of 168. Even he had no answer to The Giant Bolster, however, that one looking right back to his best under forceful tactics. Aerial travelled well for much of the contest before his revised mark began to take its toll in the closing stages and he was eventually just run out of third position. Woolcombe Folly made some costly mistakes and eventually finishing seventh.

Not even Ruby Walsh could get Tidal Bay (has a Timeform 'squiggle') over the line in front in the Grade 2 Argento Chase over three miles and a furlong despite giving the tricky eleven-year-old an excellent ride and every possible chance of victory. Tidal Bay shaped as if retaining all of his abundant ability but his temperament was brought into question once again as he refused to apply himself once forcefully ridden in the closing stages. It looks as though he will need the race to fall into his lap for him to win at this level and that's very unlikely to materialise in the Gold Cup , a race likely to be on his agenda once again having finished sixth in it last year.

Polisky was another Nicholls runner to demonstrate signs of temperamental behavior later on the Cheltenham card and he was eventually pulled up in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle Trial. He was never travelling with any enthusiasm towards the rear of the field and was left well behind before half way.

Big Buck's was the yard's only winner at Cheltenham, but his victory would have made the entire weekend worthwhile as the nine-year-old gelding put in a performance only 1 lb shy of his first World Hurdle victory when winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle by seven lengths. Big Buck's was extending his unbeaten sequence to 15 consecutive victories and in truth there wasn't ever a moment's worry despite Walsh having to push him along two out. Soon after picking up, he relentlessly wore down Dynaste and stayed on powerfully to the line to put in yet another top-class performance and one that makes him virtually impossible to oppose in the World Hurdle.

Five Dream was the other Nicholls runner in the race and he finished last of the six runners, the race not being run to suit his customary hold-up tactics.

Hinterland was Nicholls' final runner of the afternoon at Cheltenham and he managed a creditable third-placed finish, putting in an improved performance in the two mile handicap hurdle. Hinterland travelled well for much of the race but didn't pick up quite as well as his rider expected, something that may have been down to inexperience after just four starts over hurdles. He could be one for the Fred Winter Handicap at the Festival and looks like a horse who could develop into an exciting chaser further down the line.

Nicholls had just the two runners over at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon and Aiteen Thirtythree put in another below-par performance when contesting the Sky Bet Chase. It has been reported that Aiteen Thirtythree had been treated for ulcers since his penultimate run in the Hennessy but he fared no better than in that race on Saturday, held up for the first time over fences and began blundering five from the finish when making small headway. Having now disappointed on all three of his big assignments, he has a fair bit to prove.

Rocky Creek made amends for his stable-companion's disappointing run though when showing an improved level of form to run out the comfortable winner of the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Trial over three miles on the same card. Rocky Creek is a full-brother to Tell Massini and has always been held in high regard by connections. He created a good impression on Saturday, powering clear of the potentially useful Gullinbursti in the closing stages and, with it entirely conceivable that he still has plenty of improvement left, he definitely enters the reckoning for the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Hurdle .

Timeform / 30 Jan 2012