Paul Nicholls: My Friday runners at Sandown

Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 17 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Just the two for Paul at Sandown on Friday

Paul discusses his Friday runners at Sandown - two tricky characters that are aiming to develop some consistency...

14:10

Martys Mission

Had some fair form in novice chases in 2009/10, and was giving the winner 7lb when beaten 7 lengths by Punchestowns at Newbury in November 2009. But he has been off the track for over a year since beaten a long way off a mark off just 116 at Plumpton in January 2011. He has since joined me from Richard Rowe. This horse has had plenty of problems with a leg since then, but he has been fired and we have given him a full MOT, which also included a breathing operation. So hopefully you will see a better horse today, but he has had his problems, I can assure you. If he doesn't run well today, then we will look to hunter chasing with him. James Cowley takes 7lb off.

15:15

Aldertune

Is undoubtedly a tricky character but he appears to run his best races when we dispense with the blinkers and cheekpieces, such as his fourth in the Southern National and his second to Zarrafakt over 3m2f at Wincanton last time. On official ratings, he has a fair chance in this and his jockey Jody Sole performed with credit when second on Blu Teen in this race last season before that pair landed the Grand Military at this course the following month. Conditions will suit, too.