Paul Nicholls: My Friday runners at Taunton

Paul has four runners in action today, all at Taunton. Here's how he expects them to fare..

12.40 Taunton

Black Thunder

Won a Newton Abbot bumper by nine lengths in May and delighted me when second to Tetlami at Sandown earlier in the month, and the first and third both franked the form when winning at Kempton on Boxing Day. Has come on for that run, jumped great at home on Thursday morning and looks to hold a good form chance here, with the prospect of further improvement to come. However, this is a very hot race for Taunton with the likes of Mister Dillon, Moorland Sunset and a couple of smart bumper horses in opposition.

13.45 Taunton

Salubrious

The Johnson and Stewart Families bought him after he won a Stratford bumper by 21 lengths for Pam Sly. Was disappointing when only seventh on his debut for us in a Cheltenham bumper in November but he came back with sore shins and we have given him a lot of time. Has done a lot of schooling in preparation for this, as you would expect, and I think this longer trip will suit him. This is the easier of the two divisions but he still meets some smart animals in Carrigmorna King and Zama Zama.

14.20 Taunton

Ted Spread

Ran in the Derby after winning the Chester Vase last year, so clearly has an engine. And he made a pleasing hurdling debut for Mark Tompkins in a warmish race at Ascot last month, when finishing a 13 length in fourth to Broadbackbob and Cinders And Ashes, both subsequent winners. Even though he has been with us for just over a month, he has improved a good deal physically in his short time here and jumps really well at home. I like him, though again this is a pretty competitive contest, with a couple of smart Flat recruits making their debuts.

16.00 Taunton

The Reformer

I was going to run him in the novice chase on this card before Menorah stood his ground. But this is a horse I like and he could just have a handicap hurdle in him off a mark of 128 before he goes over fences. Showed fair novice form over hurdles before disappointing on his last two runs. But he choked at Sandown, so he had a breathing operation in the summer; goes well fresh, too.

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Paul Nicholls / 30 Dec 2011