Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Weekend Runners / Timeform / 20 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Zarkandar was Nicholls' only winner this weekend

"It is worth noting that Zarkandar was outpaced, having made a mistake three out, however, and he will have to travel much better if he is to prove himself a realistic Champion Hurdle candidate..."

A below average weekend for the Champion trainer with just the one winner from a whole host of runners...

Hold Fast got things underway for Nicholls on the rearranged Betfair-sponsored card at Newbury on Friday but proved disappointing, finishing fifth behind Sprinter Sacre in the Grade 2 Betfair Super Saturday Chase. Hold Fast's jumping lacked fluency for much of the way round and he remains with something to prove at the moment, his recent Sandown form not working out particularly well. On Friday's evidence, he is far from a serious Champion Chase candidate.

What A Friend and Tidal Bay could only mangae third and fifth (of five) respectively behind the Nicky Henderson duo of Long Run and Burton Port in the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase that followed. What A Friend travelled well for much of the way and was entitled to finish as close to the winner at the terms based on last year's Gold Cup form, but he failed to fully apply himself in the final stages, a trait that has proved his Achilles heel in the past. Tidal Bay also displayed signs of temperament, losing interest after a mistake at the ninth and failing to get into the sort of rhythm that saw him go close on his penultimate start in the Argento Chase.

Zarkandar made amends for his stablemate's failings in the Betfair Hurdle as he kept his unbeaten record intact, staying on strongly before getting up late on to win the valuable handicap by one and a quarter lengths. He had been given a lenient initial mark by the handicapper based on how his juvenile form from last season had been working out and wasted very little time regaining the winning thread even in a race that wasn't run to suit. It is worth noting that Zarkandar was outpaced having made a mistake three out and actually went out to [100.0] in running at one point, and though he will have to travel much better if he is to prove himself a realistic Champion Hurdle candidate, there's almost certainly more to come.

Brampour and Empire Levant also ran in Friday's Betfair Hurdle, the former doing well to get as close as he did (seventh) after getting detached from the main field in the back straight, whilst the latter didn't have the race run to suit and eventually finished fifteenth.

Deireadh Re could do no better later on the Newbury card, finishing sixth behind Knock in Hand in the staying handicap hurdle. He shaped as if in advance of his current mark, travelling well for much of the race, but found less than expected under pressure, leading us to the conclusion that Friday's race may have come too soon. He remains capable of bouncing back and could be one to keep an eye on in future events.

Cedre Bleu and Pacha du Polder also ran below their best in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, the former finishing in fifth and the latter departing three from the finish. It is unlikely either would have been competitive with Nick Williams' For Non Stop even if they had given their best, that one developing into a leading player in some of the big races at the Festival in March.

Silviniaco Conti ran a disappointing race on Saturday, finishing fourth in the Reynoldstown Chase over three miles at Ascot. His form behind Grands Crus last time had looked the best on offer but he was comprehensively beaten by Alan King's Invictus who seemed very well suited by the step up in trip. Silviniaco Conti jumped well for much of the way, but he was ridden over three out and found very little for pressure in the latter stages of his race. It is reported that he may bypass Cheltenham for Aintree but, whatever his intended target, he now has a bit to prove with this blot on his copybook.

The Minack suffered a very heavy fall just over half an hour later in the staying handicap chase and it was later reported that the injury sustained is career threatening. He had yet to be asked for his effort when departing at the fourteenth fence and we wish him all the best in his recovery.

Kauto Stone was another disappointment for the yard on Saturday, finishing in seventh place in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, the contest eventually won by Nicky Henderson's Riverside Theatre. Kauto Stone had shaped as if likely to benefit for a return to 2m5f when finishing a promising second behind Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek and he travelled with zest for the early stages of the contest. He soon found himself beaten, however, unable to respond to Riverside Theatre when the Nicky Henderson trained runner took the race up with just over half a mile to go. Kauto Stone will now has it all to prove if he is to develop into a realistic Ryanair Chase candidate.

Atlantic Roller and Sin Bin finished second and seventh respectively in the final race on the Ascot Card, the former travelling well for much of his debut, before being unable to match the winner's speed in the final stages. Sin Bin also shaped with encouragement, not unduly knocked about when his chance had gone, and strikes as the type to make a decent jumper when the time comes.

Neptune Collonges was the highlight for team Ditcheat at Haydock, finishing second behind Giles Cross in the Haydock National Trial. Neptune Collonges jumped well for much of the contest, but he was unable to get Giles Cross off the bridle in the closing stages, despite responding well to pressure. The Grand National seems the logical next step for the eleven-year-old grey and he has all of the attributes to run a big race at Aintree.

Celestial Halo was unable to match Binocular over at Wincanton and ended up finishing in second place behind the 2010 Cheltenham Champion Hurdler. Celestial Halo took the field along, adopting his usual front running tactics, but Binocular travelled very strongly upsides two from the finish and quickened clear, the Nicholls runner unable to match his speed. Celestial Halo remains tricky to place at present, too high in the handicap and not quite up to the standard of top graded races.

Grandioso rounded things up for the team on Saturday when finishing fourth behind Theatre Guide in a novices' hurdle. Grandioso had been off the track for four months, but his underwhelming effort was surely down to more than that, having been strongly supported in the market. He came under pressure much sooner than expected and was unable to keep up with the eventual winner and runner-up.