Paul Nicholls: Saturday runners at Kempton and Chepstow

Paul has several promising runners in action at Kempton on Saturday afternoon as well as a couple of chances at Chepstow. Below, he offers a comprehensive assessment of their chances...

We have been getting on top of the coughing and it was good to have two winners yesterday.
Ruby was here on Friday morning to school some of our big guns. He schooled Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Al Ferof and Join Together to name but four and I was delighted with them all. Here's my views on my Saturday afternoon runners...

14:00 Kempton

Dildar

Was obviously a classy middle distance performer on the Flat in France and he had done everything right at home prior to his hurdling debut at Taunton. Not everyone was impressed with the manner of his one-and-a-quarter length win there but I was more than happy. Yes, his jumping could have been slicker but that was his first start over hurdles and he won comfortably enough. He clearly needs to improve on that form to win this but my juveniles tend to improve with their racing - just look at Ranjaan - and Ruby schooled him on the grass on Friday morning and he was much sharper. I am looking to seeing how he shapes up in this better grade here; I think he is a good horse but he will need to be to beat the likes of Sadler's Risk, Une Artiste and Baby Mix.

15:05

Royal Charm

Has clearly not progressed from his impressive 22 length defeat of Carrickboy at Exeter in November 2010 but hopefully a spin over hurdles at Ascot last time would have got his confidence back. I definitely think he has the talent to win off this mark but obviously he has to improve massively on what he has shown this season to even get competitive here. Has his stamina to prove too, though I think 3m will suit. Would not want the ground any faster though.

Michel Le Bon

Although he ran a fair race in the Hennessy, I have to admit that I was disappointed by his showing in that race as he had been really pleasing me at home beforehand. I had hoped that he could develop into a Gold Cup possible at one point. Has always shown me a great deal on and off the track, the handicapper has dropped him 2lb from Newbury and the good ground will suit. So I'd be hopeful of a good run here.

15:40

Dodging Bullets

I am really looking forward to seeing him run as he works like a good horse at home and jumps well. He clearly was horse on the Flat in Ireland too, beating recent Grade 1 hurdles winner Hisaabaat off a mark of 89 in a 1m2f handicap on his final start. He is an exciting prospect but, as I always say, he has to go and do it on the track now. And in Grumeti and Keys, he meets horses with very smart form in the book already.

16:10

Cristal Bonus

Very classy hurdler in France and delighted me when winning by 25 lengths over 2m4f at Chepstow on his chasing debut. Has had a few niggles since and I suspect that he will improve again for this, but he clearly a very smart addition to the chasing ranks. Zaynar may be the one to beat on a going day but we get 7lb from him.

16:45

The Reformer

Showed fair form when winning at Exeter and a fair third at Kempton last season, and I thought he would go close to winning at Taunton on his reappearance. But he disappointed me in only labouring into third that day. Is better than he showed there, so let's hope he can show that here. Has been dropped 2lb since Taunton and the good ground will suit as well.

Chepstow

Minella Stars

Disappointed me on his first two starts this season but showed improved form with the blinkers on when a neck second to Gurtacrue over 3m2f at Wincanton last time. Was only racing off a mark of 121 that day but let's hope he can progress. Will need to if he is to win this.

17:30

Workbench

It does surprise me sometimes when my bumper horses go off as favourite, because as everyone knows I don't get them revved up at home. And Workbench certainly looked a horse that needed the experience when seventh at Newbury. He's probably a horse for next season as he still has plenty of strengthening to do, but this longer bumper will suit and he has a run under his belt now as well.

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Paul Nicholls / 25 Feb 2012