Paul Nicholls: The lowdown on all my weekend runners

With horses running at Uttoxeter, Stratford and Ascot it'll be a busy weekend for Paul and team. Read his thoughts on all six horses in action here

Saturday
15:05, Uttoxeter
Balding Banker
Has shown himself to be a smart horse on his day, but has proved an in-and-out performer and he has to bounce back from a very disappointing effort at Fakenham last time. Won a bumper by 10 lengths at Newbury last season, after which he ran poorly at the same track. He had a breathing operation in the summer and that seemed to have done the trick based on an encouraging third to Molotof on his reappearance. But he failed to reproduce that level of form at either Cheltenham or Fakenham. Has obvious claims here if returning to his best, but clearly there is a question mark as to whether he will. But he runs in a tongue tie for the first time today and hopefully that will help.

15:40, Uttoxeter
Tonic Mellysse
Is a horse we have always liked, but things have certainly not panned out for him this season as yet. Fell at Warwick on his chasing debut, after which we put him back over hurdles in the Ladbroke at Ascot to get his confidence back. We have freshened him up, done a lot of work on his jumping at home, and he clearly has the talent to win this four-runner Beginners' Chase if putting in a clear round.

17:35, Stratford
Whisky Yankee
Well-related 5yo who, although beaten 24 lengths, made a reasonably encouraging debut when third to a subsequent winner at Warwick in January. All my bumper horses come on for the run, so let's hope that he can step up enough to go close here. Only seven runners but looks a competitive little race, though, with Wincanton winner Kings Lad probably the one to beat. But I think he will go well and Ruby is driving from Uttoxeter to ride him; make of that what you will.

Sunday
14:55, Ascot
Doeslessthanme
Has proved very consistent since joining me, winning three and finishing runner-up three times in his seven starts, falling on the other occasion. He is effective from 2m-2m5f on any ground and underlined his versatility with an 11 length win in a 2m novice chase on soft ground at Hereford last time. But an extended 2m5f on good ground will prove equally to his liking today and he looks to have another fair chance in a small but competitive race. Looks to have Prince Of Pirates to beat, though Darna won well at Exeter, too.

17:15, Ascot
Promising Anshan
To be honest, this is a confidence-booster in advance of his having a crack at the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown next month, but he had fair hurdle form two seasons ago, good ground suits, a hurdle mark of 129 is certainly not excessive (he is rated 134 over fences) and Harry takes 5lb off. But the horse may need this. Started off the season with an excellent third in a handicap chase over 3m here but has fallen in his last two outings, including a pretty nasty one at Kempton last time, and we have to get his confidence back. That is the priority today.

17:45, Ascot
Hoo La Baloo
At 11, is clearly a shadow of his former self - he finished placed in a couple of Whitbreads and was fourth in the 2007 Tingle Creek - but hopefully still possesses enough ability to run with credit against the likes of I Have Dreamed and Master Medic here. Returned from a lengthy break to finish a fair third over 3m at Sandown last time and I think this shorter trip could suit him better.

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Paul Nicholls / 31 Mar 2012