Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Just the four runners for Paul Nicholls this weekend but two winners at Wincanton on Sunday made it a successful period for team Ditcheat...

Sir du Bearn got things underway for Nicholls on Saturday, racing in a 3m novices' chase at Bangor. Sir du Bearn attempted to make all of the running under Daryl Jacob but, after some sloppy jumping on the second circuit, quickly found himself under pressure and was eventually pulled up. Given his lightly-raced profile and the yard he hails from, it is too soon to write him off, but he does have a bit to prove after this performance, for all the ground was a possible reason for the disappointing display.

Mon Parrain was Nicholls' only other runner on Saturday afternoon, the six-year-old gelding contesting a 3m 2f handicap chase at Newbury. Despite being sent off a relatively warm favourite, Mon Parrain could do no better than fourth place and, after travelling and jumping well for much of the way, faded inside the closing stages. For all his stamina over this trip is highly questionable, the way in which he finished his race was still disappointing (has reportedly had a breathing operation). Mon Parrain remains with questions to answer but it is likely that connections will drop him in trip next time, with Aintree's Topham Chase potentially in the offing.

Wincanton was the venue for the two Nicholls representatives on Sunday and Themilanhorse got things off to a good start when landing a 2m 4f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle under Harry Derham, despite the pair conceding first run to the eventual runner up on the home turn. This was Themilanhorse's third victory in a row and, judging by the nature of his success, there could be more to come from the six-year-old. Themilanhorse looked to be in advance of his handicap mark and travelled well for much of the way, while it is also worth pointing out that his nimble jumping is an asset likely to hold him in good stead when inevitably stepping up into higher company.

Polisky rounded things off later on the card with a comprehensive defeat of some relatively modest rivals, pulling 16 lengths clear of his nearest pursuers in a four-runner novices' hurdle. Polisky tracked the pace in the early stages and took things up in the back straight, travelling strongly and jumping well under a confident Daryl Jacob. The pair eventually began to pull clear of the field, with Polisky's jockey never having to ask the five-year-old a serious question.
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Timeform / 26 Mar 2012