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Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Sunday runners at Wincanton and Aintree

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Paul gives us the lowdown on his horses on the second day at Aintree and down the road at Wincanton

15:10, Aintree
Take The Breeze: Hasn't been done many favours by the handicapper and in fact reverts to hurdles on a 4lb higher mark than when last seen over them in 2009, so he isn't exactly thrown in here. To be fair, he ran some excellent races off higher marks over fences last season, notably when second to Massini's Maguire at Ascot first time out. So he goes best when fresh and all types of ground, though any rain will be much welcomed as he loves soft ground in particular. Harry takes a handy 7lb off.

15:45, Aintree
Takeroc: Showed good form over the minimum trip on good ground in the spring and was given a peach of a ride by today's jockey Harry Derham when winning a Hunter Chase over 2m2f at Stratford last time. Has travelled strongly without finding as much as expected in the past, so waiting tactics suit him well. Remains on a fair mark and I am hopeful of a decent showing, though it looks a very competitive eight-runner race. I own a third of him with my sister Julie (Harry's mum) and Chris Giles.

14:15, Wincanton
Rock Of Deauville: This horse has had me tearing my hair out - he reminds me of Don't Turn Bach last season - and I have to admit at being very disappointed by his comeback effort at Cheltenham last week. But all I can say is that he works much better than a 114-rated horse (he has been dropped 2lb since Cheltenham) and would win this on his homework, and James Cowley is able to claim 10lb off him here too. But there have been enough excuses and he has to start doing it on the track. Hopefully, that start is here on this flatter track but there is a reason why his nickname in the yard is Morning Glory!

14:50, Wincanton
Gullible Gordon: Won this race last year by 7 lengths, and it is fair to say that we have targeted a repeat win again. But is 6lb higher than last year and things didn't go his way thereafter. Although he had one run before winning last year, he is a horse that goes well when fresh and forcing tactics over a trip on good ground sees him at his best. David Prichard has just turned professional and takes 7lb off; he is good value for his claim.

15:25, Wincanton
Mendip Express: Very backward last season but still managed to win the latter of his two point starts, at Cotley. Is obviously open to more improvement but let's see how he gets on here. Meets a couple of in-form and decent yardstsicks in Malibu Sun and Briefcase.

Fancy a Paul Nicholls fleece to keep you warm this winter? Well just follow @BetfairRacing on twitter before midnight on Sunday 23rd and you'll be in the draw to win one of four fleeces. Get the latest racing news, promotions and betting advice from Betfair by following @BetfairRacing on Twitter.

Paul Nicholls / 21 Oct 2011

Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Sunday runners at Wincanton and Aintree

Weekend Runners RSS / / 21 October 2011 / 2

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Take The Breeze takes to the track on Sunday

Take The Breeze takes to the track on Sunday

"Rock Of Deauville works much better than a 114-rated horse (he has been dropped 2lb since Cheltenham) and would win this on his homework, and James Cowley is able to claim 10lb off him here too.

Paul gives us the lowdown on his horses on the second day at Aintree and down the road at Wincanton

15:10, Aintree
Take The Breeze: Hasn't been done many favours by the handicapper and in fact reverts to hurdles on a 4lb higher mark than when last seen over them in 2009, so he isn't exactly thrown in here. To be fair, he ran some excellent races off higher marks over fences last season, notably when second to Massini's Maguire at Ascot first time out. So he goes best when fresh and all types of ground, though any rain will be much welcomed as he loves soft ground in particular. Harry takes a handy 7lb off.

15:45, Aintree
Takeroc: Showed good form over the minimum trip on good ground in the spring and was given a peach of a ride by today's jockey Harry Derham when winning a Hunter Chase over 2m2f at Stratford last time. Has travelled strongly without finding as much as expected in the past, so waiting tactics suit him well. Remains on a fair mark and I am hopeful of a decent showing, though it looks a very competitive eight-runner race. I own a third of him with my sister Julie (Harry's mum) and Chris Giles.

14:15, Wincanton
Rock Of Deauville: This horse has had me tearing my hair out - he reminds me of Don't Turn Bach last season - and I have to admit at being very disappointed by his comeback effort at Cheltenham last week. But all I can say is that he works much better than a 114-rated horse (he has been dropped 2lb since Cheltenham) and would win this on his homework, and James Cowley is able to claim 10lb off him here too. But there have been enough excuses and he has to start doing it on the track. Hopefully, that start is here on this flatter track but there is a reason why his nickname in the yard is Morning Glory!

14:50, Wincanton
Gullible Gordon: Won this race last year by 7 lengths, and it is fair to say that we have targeted a repeat win again. But is 6lb higher than last year and things didn't go his way thereafter. Although he had one run before winning last year, he is a horse that goes well when fresh and forcing tactics over a trip on good ground sees him at his best. David Prichard has just turned professional and takes 7lb off; he is good value for his claim.

15:25, Wincanton
Mendip Express: Very backward last season but still managed to win the latter of his two point starts, at Cotley. Is obviously open to more improvement but let's see how he gets on here. Meets a couple of in-form and decent yardstsicks in Malibu Sun and Briefcase.

Fancy a Paul Nicholls fleece to keep you warm this winter? Well just follow @BetfairRacing on twitter before midnight on Sunday 23rd and you'll be in the draw to win one of four fleeces. Get the latest racing news, promotions and betting advice from Betfair by following @BetfairRacing on Twitter.

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  1. kevin green | 22 October 2011

    Paul ,your banker ,Master Minded finishes last ,yet the horse that needs the race(Tatiano) shows its way in front of the handicapper.I am not sure what benefit your articles will have for their readers,if they continue to be so wide of the mark.

  2. Carson | 24 October 2011

    Yeah sorry to be rude but Paul's articles have been and continue to be atrocious. Betfair can you please recruit another trainer. Paul has proven himself a good trainer but is equally as bad at givings views on his runners to the betting public. Desperate reading..