Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

Trebles on both Saturday and Sunday at Cheltenham, combined with a winner at Fontwell Park, completed a second successive weekend seven-timer for Paul Nicholls...

Crack Away Jack was the first Ditcheat runner of the meeting when lining up in a two-mile handicap chase on Friday and, after finishing a fifth of 17, he appears to have retained the ability he showed when with Emma Lavelle. It's arguable that he would have given the first pair home, Tanks For That and Havingotascoobydo, more to think about had he not made a blunder at a crucial stage, but he did show willing to keep on up the hill. That mistake aside, Crack Away Jack jumped more fluently than had often been the case with him and he should be competitive in similar races throughout the season.

Prospect Wells also did his reputation little harm later on the Cheltenham card, finishing a narrow second behind Steps To Freedom in the Grade 2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle. Having travelled enthusiastically for most of the race, Prospect Wells was stepping up markedly on the form he had shown when making a successful hurdling debut at Chepstow two and a half weeks earlier but was just unlucky to have bumped into one of the strongest novice prospects around.

Hinterland got Nicholls off to a winning start on Saturday and his victory in the opening Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial was a sign of things to come over the next two days for the champion trainer. Coming into the race having won on his only start in France for Guillaume Macaire, Hinterland marked himself out as a tremendous juvenile prospect, producing an accomplished round of jumping that defied his inexperience. Hinterland can be expected to go on to bigger and better things with that run behind him and is currently [10.0] favourite for the Triumph Hurdle itself.

The PP Gold Cup was the only real disappointment for the champion trainer on Saturday with Poquelin unseating and Mon Parrain failing to deliver on the promise that he had shown last season. Every cloud has a silver lining, however, and the relatively-unfancied Aerial stayed on gamely to claim fourth. Mon Parrain was never really in the same jumping rhythm that he had displayed in two British starts last season and seemed to be struggling with the pace from some way out, but remains sufficiently unexposed to bounce back.

Disappointment was soon put aside though as Edgardo Sol made a successful switch back to hurdles, running out the impressive winner of a handicap just over half an hour later. Edgardo De Sol looked well ahead of his handicap mark in victory, travelling and jumping sweetly under a patient Ruby Walsh and bursting clear after the final flight to run out an emphatic six-length winner. He looks a handicapper to follow in both spheres and should be ready for the better races he must now contest.

Join Together rounded off a treble on a memorable Saturday afternoon when staying on dourly to take the closing novice chase. Join Together found plenty for pressure after the last and it is entirely possible that connections will now look to step him up in trip and the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival in March could be the race for him.

Al Ferof got Sunday afternoon off to the best possible start for Messrs Nicholls and Walsh as last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner put in a stylish round of jumping to storm clear in the two-mile Grade 2 novice on his chasing debut. The searching early pace set by Court in Session and L'Eldorado no doubt played into the hands of Al Ferof, but the manner of his victory was highly impressive and he could easily have been value for further than the winning margin. Incidentally, it was the first time Al Ferof had won on his seasonal reappearance and, given that he is expected to have come on for the run, he looks a very smart prospect, with the Arkle Chase expected to be his long-term target.

Woolcombe Folly was the only disappointment on an otherwise excellent afternoon as he finished a distant second behind Gauvain in the Schloer Chase. Whilst the ground was far from ideal for Woolcombe Folly, who prefers less testing conditions, he could be difficult to place this season.

Business was soon resumed as Brampour landed the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle just over half an hour later under an astute ride from promising teenager Harry Derham. As one would expect, the early pace was strong with a typically large field assembled and Brampour was seen to best effect, held up until making headway over three out. Having always been held in high regard by connections, he has demonstrated vast improvement this season and it seems further progression cannot be ruled out either, though he will now be forced to partake in better races and won't always get races run to suit.

Rangitoto soon made it six Open meeting victories for Nicholls when landing a gamble in a competitive handicap hurdle. The two mile five furlong trip looked barely sufficient, however, with Rangitoto seemingly outpaced as the race began in earnest before showing stamina to be his forte in the final stages. Further improvement can be expected when he is stepped up in trip and, with the physique of a chaser, Irish point winner Rangitoto could be set to make his bow over the larger obstacles sooner rather than later.

A winner at Fontwell Park in addition to the six Cheltenham victories meant seven winners in total for Nicholls this weekend and, despite being less high profile, nothing can detract from the impressive manner of Current Event's win in a two-mile-two-furlong beginners' chase. Moving up on the bridle three out before readily asserting in the closing stages, he was different class to his rivals and, having jumped soundly on the whole, is another who is worthy of a step up in grade.

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Timeform / 14 Nov 2011