Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Saturday runners

It's another busy Saturday for Paul with horses at Chepstow and Sandown including Ted Spread and Sanctuaire, both last time out winners at Taunton...

15:05, Chepstow
Minella Stars
Winning pointer and hurdler who was disappointing in his first two starts in handicap chases. But he improved when we fitted him with first time blinkers when just touched off at Wincanton last time, and hopefully he can build upon that effort here. Three miles on heavy ground should be ideal for him.

14:05, Sandown
Dualla Lord
Very smart pointer who easily beat another horse of mine, Bold Chief, in that sphere. Bold Chief is now rated 132 over hurdles, so I think Dualla Lord could be fairly handicapped off a mark of 130. Was just touched off over this trip at Taunton two starts ago and then ran well over an inadequate trip when a 9 length third to a pair of smart sorts in Urbain De Sivola and Ifyouletmefinish over 2m1f at the same track last time. Track and trip will suit here and I still think he has improvement in him, so I am hopeful of a bold showing in this competitive race.

14:40, Sandown
Martys Mission
Was having his first start for me over this course and distance last month, and I was happy enough with his 5 length second there, particularly as the head third, Marufo, won at Newbury last time. He was fit enough that day but hopefully there is still enough improvement in him to defy a 4lb rise in the handicap. Conditions should be fine.

15:15, Sandown
Ted Spread
I think I read somewhere earlier in the week that someone believes Ted Spread to be the best handicapped horse in the country. I don't know about that, but he is probably still on a fair mark, even if he has been raised 15lb for easy Taunton win last time. But I dare say that quite a few trainers think the same of their runners in this race, and the Pipe team look like they fancy Master Of Arts.
But I am happy with my horse, and I think he has improvement in him. Looking at his Flat form - he won the Chester Vase - I would hope he would be better than 135 over hurdles. I hope the course continues to dry out, as he disappointed on soft ground on the Flat. But I like his chances, and the County Hurdle is a Festival option if he runs well here.

16:25, Sandown
Sanctuaire
Won a Fred Winter and a Scottish Champion over hurdles but is best known for a being a moody and awkward customer, rather than the high-class hurdler that he is. But he looked as though he could make his mark over fences when a very impressive all-the-way winner over 2m3f at Taunton in January, and will hopefully add to that tally here if behaving himself and jumping as well as he did first time out. I have my eye on the Grade 1 2m novice at Aintree for him in five weeks.

17:00, Sandown
Aldertune
May not always be the most straightforward of performers, but we have learned that he runs his best races without blinkers or cheekpieces. Runs off the same mark as when a neck second over 3m1f here last time. This step back in trip is not ideal but he is likely be thereabouts again.

Best Chance: Sanctuaire is obviously my best chance of a winner today but I also like the propsects of Ted Spread in a very competitive race.

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Paul joined Donald McCain, Barry Geraghty and Mark Winstanley at Betfair's exclusive Betfair Cheltenham preview night this week. Read the quartet's verdict on all the big races here.

Paul Nicholls / 10 Mar 2012