Paul Nicholls: My Saturday runners at Ascot

Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 18 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Paul have winners at Ascot on Saturday?

"I would be hopeful that Silviniaco Conti would go close to winning as he's in good order."

There's no rest for Paul this weekend as he sends out plenty of runners on Saturday, many of them at Ascot...

13:15

Saint Roque

Is very well-related, being a half-brother to Quito de la Roque, and joined us after winning his only point in Ireland. His hurdling debut for us over 2m7f at Hereford in December was promising and disappointing in equal measure, if that makes sense. Disappointing in that I think the bare form of his fourth there underestimates his capabilities, but promising because he travelled like a really good horse before weakening. I retain my faith in this horse, which is why I left him in at Cheltenham at the latest forfeit stage, but he has to show it for me on the track. But he works well and the step down in trip may help, too. Would need to improve upwards of a stone to beat some of these, but I do like him.

13:50

Silviniaco Conti

First things first, I haven't made a decision over whether he runs at the Cheltenham Festival. So I would hold fire on your bets for the Sun Alliance, especially as I have made no secret of the fact that I would not be overly keen on taking on Grands Crus again. Obviously, the grey was very impressive in beating us in the Feltham, but I see no reason why the third there, Bobs Worth, should reverse the form with us today. He showed high class novice form in finishing second at Kempton and I think the world of him, and 3m on a right handed track on good to soft ground should suit him ideally - and the fact that his best hurdles form came at Ascot when he beat Karabak 7 lengths over 2m4f here in November 2010 is clearly no negative either. I would be hopeful that he would go close to winning this. He's in good order.

14:25

The Minack

We had the option of running him in the Irish Hennessy, but I decided to keep him at home for this prize. He is a high class horse on his day, and he put up his best performance to date when beating Vino Griego by six lengths over course and distance last time. He races off a 9lb higher mark today and probably needs to step up again to take this competitive contest, and he will be bordering on Grade 1 class if he can win this off a mark of 159.

15:00

Kauto Stone

The presence of last year's winner Riverside Theatre, Medermit and Gauvain makes this a pretty strong Grade 1 contest, but I am quite sweet on the chances of Kauto Stone all the same. He clearly had one hell of a task on his hands when beaten eight lengths by Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last time, but clearly ran with credit and this trip will suit him much better. And the form of his earlier defeat of Roi Du Mee and Blazing Tempo over 2m4f in Down Royal in November was franked when the third won his next three, including beating Noble Prince at Leopardstown last month. This Grade 1-winning half-brother to Kauto Star may not be the biggest but he jumps superbly and I'm looking forward to seeing him run here.

15:35

Crack Away Jack

High class horse on his day, as he showed when fourth in the 2009 Champion Hurdle, but he has clearly had his problems since and was in the wars again on his debut for me in a handicap chase at Cheltenham in November. He was in with a shout when blundering badly three out that day, and could find little close home, but he came home with a very nasty cut on his leg, which it took him a good two months to get over. He is theoretically well handicapped on his old form but he's likely to need this run, which at the very least will hopefully see us build up his confidence and see where we are with Cheltenham around the corner.

16:45

Sin Bin

Is a well-related individual and did well to win on his racecourse debut at Chepstow in April, beating a horse with experience and fair form by ½ length, and the pair pulling 18 lengths clear of the third. Sustained a little injury in the meantime but he is back working nicely now, and is a horse I like.

Atlantic Roller

Is an Old Vic half-brother to a number of winners, out of a dam who not only won bumpers herself but also the Supreme at Cheltenham in 1995. So is bred for the job and goes nicely at home, but we never seriously test our newcomers on the gallops, as everyone knows. But there wouldnt be much between him and Sin Bin at home, and I wouldn't take too much notice of the jockey bookings.

***

We visited Ditcheat last week to video Paul's Ascot runners on the gallops. Watch them in action now