Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Timeform assess how the Paul Nicholls runners fared on the weekend before the trainer sends a strong team to the Cheltenham Festival...

Friday went very well for the stable, with three winners and three placed horses the result of sending seven horses to Sandown and Wincanton.

The sole Sandown scorer was former smart Topham Chase winner Gwanako, who didn't need to be at his best to beat his two rivals in the hunter. That 2008 Aintree victory means connections may now want to consider a tilt at April's Fox Hunters, though his subsequent efforts over the National fences have both ended with him parting ways with his rider.

The other three Ditcheat runners to place at Sandown were The Pretender, who shaped with a bit of encouragement in a first-time tongue tie when second in amateur riders' handicap hurdle over an extended two miles, Hawkes Point, a much-improved second on his handicap bow in the 22f hurdle, and Hoo La Baloo, another former smart chaser but one who could only manage third when sent off second favourite for the feature Grand Military Gold Cup Chase.

Last year's maiden point winner Oscarslad stepped up significantly on his previous form to land the 22f handicap hurdle at Wincanton on what was his first start in such a race. Oscarslad, who reportedly underwent a breathing operation prior to his November debut and has worn a tongue strap on each of his four starts under Rules, promises to be suited by the step up to three miles.

The other success at Wincanton came courtesy of Opening Batsman, another to raise his game on just his fourth outing, in the two-and-half-mile novice hurdle. Opening Batsman was winning on just his second try over hurdles and clearly relished the increase in distance.

Presenting Arms was the only real disappointment of the day, running very poorly for the second time in three starts to suggest he may have a problem.

Nicholls sent five to Sandown on Saturday but former smart hurdler Sanctuaire was the only one to hit the target, justifying odds-on favouritism without breaking sweat in the novice chase over two miles. That victory made it two from two form Sanctuaire over the larger obstacles, again maintaining a good gallop and jumping fast and accurately in the main, and it could just be that chasing will be the making of him (often looked quirky over timber).

Dualla Lord, Martys Mission and Ted Spread were all sent off favourite for their respective races but all failed to strike a blow. Dualla Lord seemed to struggle with conditions from an early stage on his handicap debut in the opening novices' event, while Martys Mission was well below the form he showed on his first start for the yard three weeks previously, although reportedly struck into this time. Former Chester Vase winner Ted Spread, who has entries in both the County Hurdle and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey's Hurdle, is unlikely to take up either of those engagements as he was seemingly found out by a 15 lb rise in the weight for his previous success in a Taunton handicap.

Aldertune has a good record for Ruby Walsh (form figures of 112 going into the weekend) but even he couldn't convince the irresolute chaser to put go through with his effort in the handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles. Coming back in trip was no issue at all but he remains one to be wary about for all that he is still yet to finish out of the frame in all 16 of his completed starts.

Minella Stars was the only other Nicholls representative at the weekend, racing very lazily despite wearing blinkers for the second time when a five-length runner-up to My Boy Paddy in the three-mile beginners' chase at Chepstow on Saturday.

Timeform / 12 Mar 2012