Paul Nicholls: The lowdown on my Thursday runners

Paul has runners in action at three tracks on a lively Thursday. Here's his assessment of their chances...

Twist Pistol

Won over 2m2f at Pau last January but it is fair to say that he's been a touch disappointing in two starts for us, but the reason was readily apparent at Sandown last time. He pulled far too hard there and was soon a spent force. He definitely has the raw ability to win off a mark of 119 - and it was a touch disappointing to see him left on the same mark over hurdles and fences after being beaten 35 lengths at Sandown - but it all depends if we can get him to settle. If he does, then we are in business on a track that should suit him. And he certainly has the size and scope of a chaser, and has schooled well in preparation for this, too. Ryan takes 3lb off.

14:00 Huntingdon

The Nightingale

Took his chance in the King George after an impressive Down Royal win last season, but returned with a fibrillating heart when disappointing there. He normally goes really when fresh and I had him "ready to fight for his life" on his return to the Irish track for the Grade 1 Champion Chase last month. He ran a cracker to finish third to Quito De La Roque there, looking a likely winner before his stamina ran out. So the step down in trip, and class, will clearly be to his liking. The question is, what has the Down Royal race taken out of him? He had a hard race there in testing ground, but I was surprised at how well he bounced back at home. And I obviously wouldn't be running him here if I didn't believe he was capable of running to his best. Whether he is capable of giving 4lb to the likes of Somersby though is another matter. But we will see.

Italian Master

I unsuccessfully tried to buy this horse privately after he beat Likeable Rogue (who we also subsequently acquired) at Dromahane in March, and the form of that point looks fair - the 12 length third ran well in defeat thereafter and the fourth won subsequently. But fortunately John Hales and Aiden Murphy manage to buy him at the Cheltenham Sales the following month. He looks the part - a strong, athletic individual - and goes well, too. As ever though, I reserve my judgement on all these point winners until I see them on the track, and he is up against a couple of fair sorts from the Flat here too. But I would like to think he is a decent prospect from what I have seen at home.

Rolling Aces

With all due respect to my other runners in the race, I was a touch surprised that Rolling Aces wasn't the shortest in the betting of my three at Wincanton last month and that he went off as big as 11-2. Because he had shown plenty of ability in his two points in Ireland - finishing second to Rocky Creek and then winning himself next time - and Liam Burke, who runs our satellite point stable in Ireland, thought a fair bit of him, too. And he certainly looked impressive when beating Mabel Tasman by four-and-a-half lengths at Wincanton - it is always good to see them confirm their home promise on the track - and let us hope that he can build on that. Has to give 7lb away here but the race looks winnable and the step up in trip should suit, too.

Mr Hudson

Looks a competitive five-runner race, with the likes of recent Towcester winner On Trend in opposition, but I like this horse. It remains to be seen if he has recovered mentally from an horrific fall at Kempton in February, after which he lay winded for some time after. But we have given him plenty of time to get his confidence back at home and a breathing operation in the summer will hopefully have helped him too. He looks on a fair enough mark of 128 judged on his novice hurdle form and this point winner has always been a chaser in the making, though he will be suited by further in time. His owners live close to Taunton and love to support the track.

Doeslessthanme

Won on his debut for us over 2m4f at Fontwell but fell at Hereford last time. We run him at a local track because we want to get his confidence back, and not travel too far with him. And even though he has won over this trip over hurdles, you would have to think he needs further than this. But only six line up here, so we take our chance.

***

The Paul Nicholls Distance Challenge was finally won on Tuesday, leaving one lucky customer £13,000 richer!

The Challenge starts again for today's meeting at Taunton. For your chance to win just opt in, predict the combined winning distance at Taunton today and place a bet of £50 or more on today's racing. If you get it right, you could win up to £1,000.

Paul Nicholls / 8 Dec 2011