Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Preview

An interesting weekend lies ahead for followers of the champion trainer with the seasonal reappearance of Master Minded in the Old Roan Chase...

Having shown smart ability on the level, finishing second in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in France back in 2008 and landing a Listed contest at Pontefract just over a year ago, Prospect Wells is set to make his debut in a novice hurdle at Fakenham on Friday.

The progressive Pippa Greene is currently Timeform top-rated for the contest, and above the standard usually required to win an average renewal of the race, but Prospect Wells' flat form is far superior to that of his rivals and he looks sure to close if making a smooth transition to jumping. Being a half-brother to fairly useful two-mile hurdler Brooklyn's Gold, there's no reason why he shouldn't.

Red Harbour and Sir du Bearn are both set to represent the champion trainer in the next race of the afternoon, a novice chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Red Harbour has been relatively successful over the summer period, finishing second up at Haydock in May, before breaking his maiden over fences at Fontwell just two weeks ago, while Sir du Bearn has not been seen jumping since last November, when finishing second behind Nadiya De La Vega in a similar event at Warwick.

Despite being 5 lb adrift of Timeform top-rated Get It On, Sir du Bearn is open to improvement and could be one.

Aintree and Chepstow are the venues for two strong National Hunt meetings on Saturday and the trainer has a number of runners in with winning chances across the two cards.

Join Together could well be the best of the Nicholls runners at Chepstow and is currently entered for a novice chase over three miles.

Join Together's best effort last season came when landing a novice hurdle at the same course in mid-February, outstaying his rivals on heavy ground to win by twenty lengths. Despite a below-par effort on his only subsequent run in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, JoinTogether looks an exciting addition to the novice chasing ranks and gets the chance to prove that opinion correct on Saturday.

Also of interest on the Chepstow card is the Grade 3 Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle for which there are currently two Ditcheat runners entered, Rebel Rebellion and Robinsons Collonges. Of the pair it is the latter who emerges best on Timeform ratings, just 4 lb behind Phillip Hobbs' top-rated Arthurian Legend.

Robinsons Collonges could be a little better than his current rating suggests, however, and did lappear to have the beating of Wishfull Thinking in a novice chase contest before falling in November. If back to his best, he could be fairly well treated off his current mark back over hurdles.

Rebel Rebellion, on the other hand, has a progressive profile and is likely to have an successful season ahead of him if able to build upon the promising novice form he demonstrated last term. He won two of his three starts over timber, the second success a seven length victory at Sandown Park in March, and he could develop into a smart performer.

The Old Roan Chase at Aintree is the National Hunt feature this weekend and sees the return to action of Master Minded .

It seems that former Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded is at his best over two and a half miles these days based on his imperious defeat of Albertas Run (who will again reoppose) at Aintree's Grand National Meeting in April, and he will be the one to beat despite top weight.

As was the case last weekend, Gullible Gordon is again entered and could make his seasonal reappearance in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Sunday. As mentioned in this column last week, he typically goes well fresh and having shown improvement towards the end of last season, it would be no surprise to see him get back to winning ways in what looks a relatively competitive handicap.

Take The Breeze is the other high-profile entry at Wincanton and he is set to run in a Pertemps Handicap Hurdle qualifier over three miles. He hasn't been seen over timber since 2009, but connections will be hoping that reverting to the smaller obstacles will revitalise a horse who has been below best on his last three outings over fences.

On his very best chase form he could be relatively well handicapped over hurdles, but he's possibly one to watch rather than back as things stand.

Timeform / 19 Oct 2011