Paul Nicholls: Saturday runners at Doncaster and Newbury

Paul provides the lowdown on his seven Saturday afternoon runners...

He's racing off a 10lb higher mark than when beating Quicuyo (re-opposes today) by 12 lengths at Aintree in October and he is on the limit of being badly handicapped. But this galloping track should suit him, as should the ground, and he ran well when fourth to Finian's Rainbow at Kempton in December. Harry takes 7lb off, too.

He is fit and has done a lot of work and is certainly capable of winning, but I have left a fair bit to work on as well, with Aintree in mind. He wouldn't have liked the ground when a fair second in the heavy ground Becher last time, but this is the final stepping stone to the Grand National and I am very happy with him. He is fairly handicapped too.

I run three in this but I wouldn't like any rain falling on watered ground, as my trio all like decent ground.

Woolcombe Folly

Is ridden by a very capable 7lb claimer who schooled him on Thursday, so let's hope he can return to form here. He clearly has a lot to improve on his form this season to figure here but he has at least dropped 7lb in the handicap in this campaign and certainly would be of interest here if returning to the form of Cheltenham win in December 2010.

Aerial

Was very impressive when winning over 2m6f on the soft at Ascot in December but after Ruby got off him after a slightly below par performance at Cheltenham last time he said "flatter track". So this course should suit him better and he has been dropped 3lb in the handicap, which helps.

Pasco

Has come down 6lb in the handicap since the start of the season and I give him a fair chance if returning to his best here. Was clearly not suited by conditions when on soft ground on his last two starts, but he was second in this race two seasons ago and I can see this strong traveller going well here.

Had a tiny fracture of a small bone in his hind leg so has been off for a while. Is going nicely now, and going chasing in the long term, but he is fit enough here, though he will undoubtedly be shaper for the run. Is a horse I like and finished a good third here last season.

Subtle Sovereign

Finished a fair fourth on his debut at Wincanton. Needs to improve on that to figure here but my bumper horses tend to come on from their debut runs. This looks a hot race though, as you would expect for the money. Has an each way chance at big odds.

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Paul Nicholls / 3 Mar 2012