Weekend Runners / Timeform / 07 November 2011 / 2

Kauto Stone's victory in a Grade 2 chase at Down Royal was the highlight of last weekend for the Paul Nicholls yard, taking the trainer's overall winners to 2000 on a Saturday afternoon where he enjoyed seven successes in total...

That'lldoboy was the first leg of a Wincanton five-timer for Nicholls on Saturday afternoon when taking a two-mile-five-furlong chase at Wincanton under Ryan Mahon. That'lldoboy, blinkered for the first time, duly delivered on the promise he had previously shown by running out a ready three-and-a-half length winner of what had appeared a competitive handicap. Whilst his jumping isn't yet fully polished, Saturday was only his second start over the larger obstacles and he'll certainly be on interest next time.

Violin Davis completed a quick-fire double for trainer and jockey just over half an hour later, landing a mares' handicap hurdle by an impressive thirteen lengths. Violin Davis has clearly improved over the summer and, whilst it may not have been the strongest of races, the manner of her victory underlines that she's going to be a force in similar races throughout the campaign, with a step up to three miles unlikely to pose a problem.

Silviniaco Conti was the widest-margin winner of the Nicholls septet on Saturday, winning his first race over fences at the second time of asking when taking the Grade 2 Rising Stars Novices' Chase by twenty five lengths. Silviniaco Conti built upon his Chepstow run behind Cue Card to confirm himself a potential top-notch novice chaser, putting in a far more convincing round of jumping than the majority of his rivals (just two finished). Siviniaco Conti seems to have plenty of options in terms of trip this season, having the speed to drop back to miles or, potentially, the stamina for three if required.

Celestial Halo had already won the Elite Hurdle in 2009, but what possibly fortunate to secure victory this time around. Despite forceful tactics being employed from the off, he was unable to get Grandouet off the bridle and that rival looked a real danger when falling two from home, leaving the Nicholls runner clear. Celestial Halo may be somewhat difficult to place over hurdles again this season, his mark high enough to rule out further handicap and his ability just shy of top-class. It may even be that connections attempt to resurrect his novice chasing career.

The Minack led home a Nicholls 1-2 in the Badger Ales Trophy to complete the Wincanton five-timer. The Minack travelled strongly throughout the contest and proved his stamina in the closing stages to get the better of a battle with Meanus Dandy and, having had just the four starts over fences, he looks one to keep on side in the coming weeks and months.

Pacha du Polder was Nicholls' solitary winner at Sandown on Saturday and he denied Eradicate by the narrowest of margins in the beginners' chase. Pacha du Polder jumped well in the main and overcame his lack of experience in the closing stages of the race by demonstrating a most likeable attitude to win on the nod. He should be capable of building upon this encouraging debut and looks a novice to follow.

It was over in Ireland where Nicholls enjoyed his finest moment this weekend, however, and it seemed fitting that the champion trainer's 2000th winner should be secured by Kauto Star's younger half-brother Kauto Stone. Kauto Stone put in a very impressive performance on his debut for the trainer to land the Grade 2 chase by six and a half lengths with Paul Carberry, who replaced Noel Fehily after that jockey had travel issues, barely having to break sweat aboard the five-year-old. Kauto Stone travelled well for large parts of the contest, jumping economically and improvement can be expected in both the short and long term, with the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he is currently [15.0] a possible end-of-season target.

Just about the only disappointment for the yard on Saturday came in the Grade 1 JNWine Chase where The Nightingale could only manage third behind Quito De La Roque. The Nightingale travelled relatively well in the main, but after a long battle with Sizing Europe on the run-in, the pair's stamina began to empty out under soft conditions and Quito De La Roque arrived late to deny them both. The Nightingale does remain a decent chasing prospect having only had the seven starts, but he is best fresh and some time off could be required after a difficult race on Saturday.

The yard were without a runner on Sunday.

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1. PETER KING | 08 November 2011

   paul i just love the way u train your horses YOU ALWAYS RUN YA HORSES TRUE TO FORM AND I JUST LOVE RUBY AND THE REST OF YA JOCKS I ALWAYS BACK YA HORSES BECAUSE I NO I WILL BE ON A TRYER ALL THE BEST MATE HAVE A GREAT XMAS AND A FANTASTIC NEW YEAR P, KING CHEERS LAD

2. richard shaw | 10 November 2011

   dear mr nicholls i thought you had a really bad season last yr by your standards but its nice 2 see you back i feel i can back your horses with much more confidance this time round ive met u three times in recent yrs at aintree etc and uve put me away 3 times lol but i do wish u all the best this season and hope all your horses come back safe

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