Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 19 November 2011 / 1

Four horses go to Berkshire and three to Haydock for Paul, including King George hopeful Master Minded and superstar Kauto Star. Read Paul's views here

Haydock Runners

12:15, 2m Betfair Hurdle
Domtaline
Things really didn't go his way last season but at least we felt we had a well-handicapped horse on our hands at the start of the season and he proved it at Chepstow when winning by 9 lengths, after which the handicapper put him up 12lb. That made up our mind to come here rather than the Greatwood on Sunday and I quite fancy our chances. His jumping is still not as polished as I would like but he has an engine, and he gets a handy 8lb from Grandouet. And Domtaline was certainly not beaten when falling three out in the race won by that horse at Newbury last season. Everyone assumes that Grandouet would have picked up Celestial Halo at Wincanton a fortnight ago, and was certainly going far better than us when he came to grief, but I am not so sure. That said, Nicky's was a very smart juvenile and is clearly the one to beat along with Marsh Warbler.

12:50, 2m4f Handicap Hurdle
Indian Daudaie
Joined me from France and ran well without winning in four starts last season, but I reckon there is much more to come from him. And as he is owned by Timeform Betfair Racing Club and Clive Smith, let us hope we can get him on the winning trail here on this Betfair-sponsored card. Ran a good race when fourth in the boys race at Cheltenham and was staying on and in with a chance of a place when falling 2 out at Aintree. Has really improved physically over the summer, has been working well and is fit and in good order; runs here in preference to the 3m fixed brush hurdle and I think he will run very well, too.

14:30, 3M Handicap Hurdle
Robinson Collonges
Despite winning twice, he was very much a "what might have been" horse last season and he disappointed me dreadfully at Cheltenham and Aintree after looking such a promising novice earlier in the season. So I was chuffed with his comeback third at Chepstow and, even though he has been raised 2lb for that, I still think he is handicapped to run a big race and these fixed brush hurdles could be right up his street, too. I would hope that he will be a much fitter and sharper horse than he was at Chepstow, too. Has a good each way chance.

3.05 Betfair Chase

Kauto Star see main story

Ascot Runners

12:25, 2m6f Novice Hurdle
Deireadh Re
I appear to have been quoted as saying that this horse "probably isn't one for the top tracks." Well, a fortnight is a long time in racing and he takes his chance here! To be fair, he was really quite impressive when winning at Worcester in June and he is fit and well for this run. There may be higher-rated and well-regarded sorts in opposition, but I think he will give a good account of himself. Mush Mir looks the one to beat.

14:10, 2m3f Grade 1 Chase
Master Minded
He was clearly disappointing when last of three on his reappearance in the Old Roan at Aintree, where the ground dried up more than expected, he didn't jump with his customary fluency and was found wanting when the tempo quickened two out. But I think it was simply a matter of him not being fit enough there; I told everyone before the race that he would improve "enormously" for the run before the race but I certainly thought he would be straight enough to win. I was wrong and I was livid with myself at the time - but I have certainly not lost any faith in the horse. However, I will advise another note of caution today. He has come on from Aintree but there is still improvement in him as I am training him to be spot on for one race, and that is at Kempton on Boxing Day.
And he faces a very stiff task giving weight around to horses of the calibre of Haldon Gold Cup winner Medermit and Somersby (who we beat by only a short head here off levels in January). And giving 10lb to Kalahari King will be a hell of an ask if that one is on a going day. But this horse is all class and if he can recapture the form, and jumping rhythm and brilliance, that saw him beat Albertas Run by nine lengths in the Melling, then it will take a good horse to lower his colours. A bit of rain wouldn't go amiss.

14:45, 2m3f Hurdle
King Of The Night
We took this race with Silviniaco Conti last year and run a similarly fast improving horse in King Of The Night this time around. And although he meets some very classy animals here such as Oscar Whisky and Overturn, he certainly deserves his crack at a big prize. He was raised 8lb for a winning reappearance but that certainly didn't stop him at Kempton, where he bolted up by five lengths. This will gives us a good idea of where we stand and trip and good ground won't be a problem. Failed by only a nose to give Sprinter Sacre 13lb in a bumper here last year.

15:20, 2m1f Handicap Chase
Takeroc
Won by 12 lengths at Aintree last month, so our hand was forced somewhat and we turned him out six days later here under a 6lb penalty. But the race came too soon, his jumping wasn't as fluent, and he didn't run up to that form. He is still 10lb higher than at Aintree, but hopefully a three week break will have freshened him up and Harry, having his first ride as a professional, takes a handy 7lb off. So hopeful rather than confident.

A very competitive weekend of racing once again, so winners will be hard to come by.

But I like the chances of Indian Daudaie and Minella Stars as well as Robinson Collonges each way.

Paul's Best Chances

You've read Paul's thoughts, now find out who his Betfair Multiples Banker is...

Watch Master Minded and Robinson Collonges on the gallops:

Watch the Timeform Betfair Racing Club horses Plenty Pocket and Indian Daudaie being put through their final paces for this weekend:

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1. patrick fleming | 19 November 2011

   i would just like to thank Kauto star Ruby paul and clive for a great day a race I will never forget kauto star is a legened thanks.

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