Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Timeform take a look at the the champion trainer's chances for the week ahead...

The Nicholls stable have been in fine form in recent weeks, saddling seven winners from their last 14 runners to complete, and they send two to Fontwell on Tuesday, namely Indian Daudaie and Sin Bin.

Timeform Betfair Racing Club horse Indian Daudaie (14:40) hasn't put his best foot forward since he finished fourth in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival and it is hoped that a switch back to fences (not devoid of promise sole try) and the application of cheekpieces will help. Sin Bin's (17:10) debut win sets the standard in the closing bumper and it's anticipated that he'll be hard to beat with his return behind him and tried tongue tied.

From an initial entry of six spread between Hereford and Exeter, the yard's only representative on Wednesday is now likely to be Mr Mole, an unraced half-brother to winning chaser at around two miles Walter du Berlais, who is engaged in the closing bumper at the former course. Daryl Jacob looks set to take the ride and it will be interesting to see how he shapes.

The yard could be busy on Thursday with a number of runners set to take their place at Ludlow and Wincanton.

Of the eight currently involved at Ludlow, Current Event looks to hold strongs claims in the two-and-a-half-mile novice chase as he's rated only 4 lb inferior to figures topper Tiger O'Toole. Unlike Tiger O'Toole, however, the Nicholls horse has a 'p' attached to his rating, signifying it's likely that he still has further progression to come having easily won both of his starts over fences so far. That'll Do (also in the 15:00 at Wincanton) isn't far behind his stablemate though, while useful hurdler Domtaline, who was pulled up in January's Lanzarote Hurdle when last seen, will be making his chase debut if lining up in the same race.

Although Italian Master is open to improvement after just a single start, Likeable Rogue is the trainer's best chance of winning the three-mile novice hurdle at Ludlow, the brother to useful hurdler Grangeclare Lark having finished runner-up on both of his runs so far. Likeable Rogue is another to remain capable of better and only has Ascot winner Grove Pride ahead on the figures.

Of the other two Nicholls runners at Ludlow, Just Amazing has a much better chance in the closing hunter than he does in the handicap chase, while The Pretender will have his work cut out in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

At Wincanton, Minella Stars (3 lb off current ratings leader Knighton Combe) is preferred over the quirky Earth Planet in the Somerset National, while it has to be assumed that unraced grey Fair Dreamer is the more likely runner in the bumper with Mr Mole seemingly likely to run earlier in the week.

Although quieter than the vast majority of weekends over the past few months, Saturday could still be fairly active for the yard with 10 currently entered at Haydock and Newton Abbot.

Swiss-bred Pasco (usually finds little and one to be wary of) and ex-French Aerial are the stable's two in the Betfair.For Better Odds Levy Board Handicap Chase at the former track, with the latter horse heading the weight-adjusted ratings by 6 lb from Nicky Henderson's Girogio Quercus. Aerial, under an inspired Ruby Walsh, took advantage of being dropped 3 lb by the official assessor when getting up close home at Newbury last time and is still yet to finish out of the frame in six outings since joining Nicholls.

Ditcheat could have up to seven runners taking to the stage at Newton Abbot, with Opening Batsman and Black Thunder both engaged in the novice hurdle at 15:05. Black Thunder is the more likely victor of the two if ready to go on his return from a short break, the bumper winner having confirmed the promise of his hurdling bow when responding well to hold off Captain Sunshine at Taunton in late December when last seen.

County Hurdle second Edgardo Sol, recent Hereford novice chase winner Doeslessthanme and Toubab, bought down in the Grand Annual last time, are all entered in the two-mile handicap chase at Newton Abbot due off at 15:40. Timeform ratings suggest the second-named has the most favourable chance, but all could struggle to withstand the likes of Oh Crick, who was back to his very best in first-time blinkers last time, and Qoubilai, the application of a tongue tie working for that one when an impressive winner at Wetherby on just his second start for Tim Vaughan.

Oscarslad and The Pretender, both of whom were originally entered at Exeter on Wednesday, could take in the handicap hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Newton Abbot but have plenty to find to succeed.

Timeform / 3 Apr 2012