Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Timeform assess Paul's runners from Cheltenham and Kempton, where the focus was very much on future prospects with the Champion Trainer having fielded some interesting novices across the course of the three days.

Bold Addition got the weekend off to a fairly good start when finishing second behind improving novice hurdler Sizing Symphony at Cheltenham on Friday.

Having moved smoothly into contention, the fact that Bold Addition could not match the winner in the latter stages suggests he'll benefit for the run and, after showing a much greater level of form on this occasion than he had demonstrated on his first start last spring, he should be in for another good season.

Bold Addition loses his novice hurdler status as of November 1 but, whilst the switch to handicaps should prove within his compass, a tilt a novice chasing could prove more appealing for the useful-looking, scopey six-year-old.

That'll Do went one better in the following race at Prestbury Park, landing the spoils in a small-field novice chase despite not having to be at his best owing to the fall of For Non Stop. That said, That'll Do looked like he had a fair bit more to give and is probably best judged on his form in previous races, the most recent being a much-improved fifth in a listed handicap at Newton Abbot in August.

Rock of Deauville was disappointing in the final race of the afternoon, well backed but well held in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle. Rock of Deauville travelled well under Ryan Mahon and edged into contention over two out, but his effort off the bridle combined with the fact that he was tongue tied for the third start in succession hardly bodes well.

Round Tom showed stamina to be his forte when staying on to finish second behind Ongenstown Lad in the novice hurdle having been outpaced turning for home. Whilst Round Tom did finish some seventeen lengths adrift of the winner, he still shaped as though there are more races to be won with him.

Two more second places shortly followed for Nicholls with Tonic Mellysse beaten fourteen lengths by Kalaan in the hurdle race for four-year-olds and Toubab narrowly denied by Lancetto on his chase debut in the novice event.

Tonic Mellysse appeared temporarily outpaced in his race, albeit on ground faster than ideal and, whilst he did finish a comfortable second, he never looked likely to trouble the winner.

Toubab's first outing over fences was more encouraging, beaten only by a rival who had made two appearances already this season, and the pair pulled well clear of the remainder. Despite winning a listed novice hurdle at Haydock, there was the suspicion that Toubab wasn't seen to best effect over hurdles last season and, if able to progress over the larger obstacles, he looks an exciting prospect.

Pepe Simo was Nicholls' only runner of the afternoon on Sunday and he capped the weekend off with victory in the two-mile minor hurdle at Kempton, travelling well and jumping fluently to see off Nearby by five lengths. The win represented form up with Pepe Simo's very best over hurdles and he'll be dangerous in similar races or back over fences in the coming months.

Timeform / 17 Oct 2011