Paul Nicholls: My Sunday runners at Exeter

As the ice begins to thaw, Paul focuses on the Devon track where he has five runners in action on Sunday afternoon....

Taoufick Du Seuil

Was placed in a couple of bumpers over 1m3f/1m4f in the French provinces in 2010. We have actually had him for over a year but he had a problem that kept him off until now. He goes nicely enough at home but he will definitely need this and improve for the experience. And this looks a very decent race with the likes of Nelson's Bridge and Captain Sunshine in opposition.

Bold Chief

Winning pointer who made a promising debut under Rules when fourth to Colour Squadron in a bumper at Chepstow in November. Many people thought he should have won on his hurdling debut over 2m7f at Fontwell, and in hindsight we probably should have sent him on when he was going well, rather than holding onto him. But that at least confirmed we have a nice, progressive horse on our hands and hopefully he can go one better here. But the form of that race is probably nothing special and you will find that these types of contests will now become very hard to win with the weather bad, and trainers struggling to get races into their horses and taking every opportunity that arises. I don't think the step down in trip will be a problem, though.

Royal Charm

We all got excited about this horse after this talented hurdler won by 22 lengths over 2m2f at Exeter on his chasing last season, but things haven't quite panned out as expected. He had his problems after that victory, fell when going well at Sandown in December and then ran a shocker when last of four here a fortnight later, where a bad mistake at the first ditch totally knocked him out of his stride. Hopefully a spin over hurdles at Ascot last time would have got his confidence back. I think the 3m trip won't be a problem but he will clearly have to improve massively if he is to trouble a peak-form Teaforthree or Hell's Bay.

Cedre Blue

Walkon is clearly the horse to beat here if returning to the form of his course and distance defeat of Zaynar over course and distance in December, but I like my horse. Whatever he did over hurdles was always going to be a bonus and he showed a really likeable attitude on his chasing debut over 2m1f at Newbury, battling back to beat Bellvano. We were going to run him in the rescheduled Scilly Isles before Newbury was abandoned, but this a good opportunity for him, too. He has improved since Newbury, fitness and experience wise, and this race will tell us where we stand with a view to a possible run at Cheltenham.

Flaming Gorge

Made a promising enough debut for us when a neck second at Plumpton in November, but was brought down at the first here next time and then ran a stinker in bottomless ground at Chepstow. But, as everyone knows, I am more than willing to forgive any horse a poor run at the latter track. I have freshened him up and he is on a fair mark if returning to the Plumpton form.

Paul Nicholls / 12 Feb 2012