Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Review

No seven-timer for Nicholls this week but remarkable performances from both Kauto Star and Master Minded made it a weekend to remember for the champion trainer...

Toubab almost got Nicholls' weekend off to the perfect start on Friday afternoon as he looked set to justify odds-on favouritism only to fall three from the finish in a novice chase at Haydock. Toubab hasn't always impressed with his finishing effort in the past, but he was travelling stronger than his rivals at the time and would have definitely gone close. His jumping had been fairly fluent up until that point and he should be capable of landing a similar contest in the near future providing that fall hasn't left its mark.

Bold Addition made his chasing debut just over half an hour later and ran with promise to finish second behind Mr Moonshine, with the pair well clear of Ackertac, the only other finisher. Bold Addition didn't quite match his hurdling form on his first try over the larger obstacles, but he jumped well enough to suggest that a victory in similar company should shortly follow. He was just a couple of lengths behind the eventual winner approaching the last, but his stamina began to waver, possibly due to the extended trip and the softer than ideal conditions.

Plenty Pocket rounded things off for team Ditcheat on Friday afternoon with a creditable third-place finish behind Molotof and Our Joe Mac in the listed Newton Novices' Hurdle. Plenty Pocket had readily defeated a fairly ordinary field at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance and stepped up on that form less than a month on, travelling well for much of the way after racing freely in the early stages.

Last month's Chepstow winner Domtaline proved no match for Grandouet in the opening race at Haydock on Saturday, the Nicholls runner finishing nine lengths behind Nicky Henderson's impressive second-season hurdler. Domtaline's jumping was, in the main, more fluent than it had been on previous occasions but, despite this, he was never able to get Grandouet off the bridle and was firmly booked for second when fluffing the last.

Disappointing performances from both Indian Daudaie and Robinson Collonges soon followed but Kauto Star more than made up for that when putting in a majestic display to land his fourth Betfair Chase at the age of eleven. Nicholls' decision to keep the dual Gold Cup winner in training this season was truly vindicated in Saturday's feature race as Kauto Star rolled back the years to put in a remarkable round of jumping, in the process seeing off Long Run and some very promising second-season chasers in posting his highest ever Timeform rating for a Betfair chase victory and his highest rating since winning the 2009 King George. It was a performance that confirmed once again what has been known for a long time, that Kauto Star is one of the all-time chasing greats.

Kauto Star was ridden in a different fashion on Saturday, jumping and travelling notably well in front from an early stage and was last off the bridle two out, having had Long Run under pressure for the majority of the second circuit. It does have to be said that Kauto was reportedly very ready for Saturday afternoon, whereas Long Run may not have been fully tuned but, that said, Kauto is going to be tough to beat wherever he goes this season, with connections reportedly keen on another King George before, obviously, an attempt to regain his Gold Cup crown in March.

There was another big race victory for Clive Smith and Paul Nicholls at Ascot on Saturday as Master Minded looked backed to his very best when landing the Grade 2 Amlin Chase, defeating Somersby by three lengths despite conceding weight all round. Master Minded duly came on for his defeat in the Old Roan Chase and travelled much better than he had done at Aintree, last off the bridle two out and soon in control when asked for his finishing effort. Master Minded is now likely to step uo to three miles for the first time in the King George on Boxing Day, before a spring campaign that could culminate in the Ryanair and Melling Chases.

King of The Night was running in graded company for the first time on Saturday, but ran below his best in finishing fourth to Overturn in the Ascot Hurdle. The form on his two handicap wins going into the race hasn't worked out too badly and it's presumed that keen-going tendencies early contributed to his downfall.

Harry The Viking was the highlight for Nicholls on Sunday afternoon as he justified odds-on favouritism to land a novice hurdle at Towcester. He didn't look entirely straightforward, however, carrying his head awkwardly and looking very idle throughout the race, forcing his rider to work a great deal harder than might have been expected. While the ability to go a fair bit higher is clearly there, it remains to be seen as to whether it can be teased from him.

Flaming Gorge and Minella Stars were the other two Nicholls runners on Sunday, with the pair lining up at Exeter. Minella Stars could only finish third on his chasing bow, putting in an inadequate round of jumping and seemingly lacking full fitness in the latter stages of the race, while Flaming Gorge didn't give himself much chance by crashing out at the first.
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Timeform / 21 Nov 2011