Paul Nicholls: The verdict on all my weekend runners

Exclusive to Betfair - here is another dose of unique insight from the best jumps trainer in the world ahead of a big weekend in the game

Saturday
14:05, Cheltenham
Round Tom: Is up against it on the ratings but certainly comes here in good form, and will love the trip and ground. Made a successful chasing debut when winning by 15 lengths at Worcester in July but we switch him back to hurdles here because I thought this was a slightly easier option than the chase on Friday. But I may be wrong!

15:15, Cheltenham
Tonic Mellysse: Beat one of our new recruits Tigre D'Aron by a length on his only hurdle start in France (over 2m2f at Pau in December) and would have needed the run and experience when fourth to Zarkandar at Kempton in February. Clearly had little to beat when winning at odds of 1-10 at Ayr in April, but is a horse we like and he has done really well over the summer. Nice prospect but has to give 4lb to some smart opposition here. However, he has been working with Domtaline and Rock Of Deauville, and I think he will run very well.

16:55, Cheltenham
Toubab: He made a big impression when winning on the bridle on Betfair Chase Day at Haydock last year but didn't progress from that win in two subsequent starts at Sandown and Kempton, where the going would have been far too soft for him. He faces some decent opposition in the shape of Lancetto and House Rules but trip and ground will suit and he has a fair bit of talent himself, too. Has schooled nicely.

Sunday
16:25, Kempton
Pepe Simo: Is a very versatile performer, and we were going to run him at Royal Ascot this year before he got balloted out. But he has won a bumper, a jumpers' bumper (here on the all-weather), hurdles and chases for me, the most recent being a handicap chase win off a mark of 140 at Newton Abbot last time out in April. Ground, trip and fitness not an issue and he should give a good account before going back over fences at Ascot in a fortnight's time. Has a big chance.

Paul Nicholls / 14 Oct 2011

Paul Nicholls: The verdict on all my weekend runners

Weekend Runners / Paul Nicholls / 14 October 2011 /

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Can Toubab reclaim winning form?

" Ground, trip and fitness not an issue for Pepe Simo and he should give a good account before going back over fences at Ascot in a fortnight’s time. Has a big chance."

Exclusive to Betfair - here is another dose of unique insight from the best jumps trainer in the world ahead of a big weekend in the game

'; echo showAtTime($entry_body); ?> Saturday
14:05, Cheltenham
Round Tom: Is up against it on the ratings but certainly comes here in good form, and will love the trip and ground. Made a successful chasing debut when winning by 15 lengths at Worcester in July but we switch him back to hurdles here because I thought this was a slightly easier option than the chase on Friday. But I may be wrong!

15:15, Cheltenham
Tonic Mellysse: Beat one of our new recruits Tigre D\'Aron by a length on his only hurdle start in France (over 2m2f at Pau in December) and would have needed the run and experience when fourth to Zarkandar at Kempton in February. Clearly had little to beat when winning at odds of 1-10 at Ayr in April, but is a horse we like and he has done really well over the summer. Nice prospect but has to give 4lb to some smart opposition here. However, he has been working with Domtaline and Rock Of Deauville, and I think he will run very well.

16:55, Cheltenham
Toubab: He made a big impression when winning on the bridle on Betfair Chase Day at Haydock last year but didn\'t progress from that win in two subsequent starts at Sandown and Kempton, where the going would have been far too soft for him. He faces some decent opposition in the shape of Lancetto and House Rules but trip and ground will suit and he has a fair bit of talent himself, too. Has schooled nicely.

Sunday
16:25, Kempton
Pepe Simo: Is a very versatile performer, and we were going to run him at Royal Ascot this year before he got balloted out. But he has won a bumper, a jumpers\' bumper (here on the all-weather), hurdles and chases for me, the most recent being a handicap chase win off a mark of 140 at Newton Abbot last time out in April. Ground, trip and fitness not an issue and he should give a good account before going back over fences at Ascot in a fortnight\'s time. Has a big chance.

My best chance of the weekend would be Pepe Simo.

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