Paul Nicholls: My Doncaster runners

Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 28 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will you back Paul's horses at Doncaster (above) on Saturday?

Paul has two runners at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon and he's looking for improvement from both of them...

14:50

Aiteen Thirtythree

It is obviously a big concern that both times he has been asked to run in competitive, double-figure fields over fences - in the Sun Alliance last season (sore shins) and the Hennessy last time - then he hasn't delivered. But there were excuses both times, and I can reveal exclusively here that we found him to be suffering from ulcers after Newbury. So we have had him on a course of Gastrogard, and hopefully that will allow him to show his true worth here. If it does, then I am very hopeful off a mark of 150, even in a race as competitive as this. Conditions should suit, and the form of his reappearance second to Somersby isn't looking too bad now either. I haven't lost the faith in this one yet - not at all. This step back in trip will suit, and he has been working well.

15:25

Rocky Creek

Rather like Pearl Swan, we throw him into Grade 2 company after just one hurdle start. But this is a horse we think a fair bit of. Impressive winner of an Irish point, he was beaten a neck on his hurdling debut at Exeter at November. But that form is ok - the ten length third, Grand Vision, won a handicap off a mark off 114 earlier this month - and I would hope that my horse has plenty of improvement in him too. We have taken our time with him - though he was due to run subsequently, we had to withdraw him on the morning of his intended race because he developed a sore on his back overnight and we couldn't get the saddle on him - but he is fine, fit and well, and progressing nicely at home. This isn't the strongest of Grade 2 races and I think he could be a huge improver here; 3m and cut in the ground will suit him well.

Saturday's are always tough but click here to find out my three best chances