Paul Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Just the three runners for the yard this weekend after the defection of That'll Do at Wincanton on Sunday, but a winner and two seconds showed the yard to be in great form with Aintree just around the corner.

The first of Paul's runners was Violin Davis at Newbury on Saturday, who produced a performance far in excess of her previous efforts over hurdles when runner-up to Line Freedom in the mares listed handicap hurdle. Although she had won and finished second twice in her previous three starts, Violin Davis was some way behind the market principals on form going into the race, yet, could well have given the winner even more to do but for hitting the second-last hurdle and showed she is a very much a mare to follow in the near future.

With favourite Kid Cassidy coming out the race, Current Event's task was made somewhat easier in the novice hurdle, but he still produced a much improved performance when readily accounting for the fairly useful pair of Fontano and Tony Star. Like so many of the yard's horses, Current Event had had a breathing operation since his British debut, when a well-beaten sixth in an Aintree maiden hurdle in November, and it has clearly benefitted him. He looks the type to do better when stepped up in class but also a similar race under a penalty would look a formality.

The third and final runner of the day, and the weekend as it turned out, was bumper runner-up Broomfield, who failed to build on his debut enough to get his head in front, but still looks the type to win races. In his Betfair column on Saturday, Nicholls stated that Broomfield works as well as any of his bumper horses and he was once again sent off a very short price to do the business, but couldn't quite hold off the challenge of newcomer Turbo du Ranch, despite leading briefly over a furlong out. Broomfield clearly has his limitations but is a good prospect and is in the right hands to progress, especially when tackling hurdles next season.

Timeform / 28 Mar 2011