Paul Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform Preview

As it's almost the eve of the Cheltenham Festival, this weekend is understandably a quiet one by the yard's standards, but the trainer does send a number of horses with chances to Newbury and Doncaster.

The day begins for Nicholls at Newbury with the Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (15:00), in which Niche Market looks set to begin his preparation toward the Grand National following a three-month break (in which time he has reportedly had a breathing op). With the National in mind, it has to be assumed that he's going to find two and a half miles too sharp, whilst the other Nicholls runner, Take The Breeze, posted two good efforts in handicaps, (disappointed last time) and looks the more likely of the two to take a hand in what looks a competitive handicap.

The Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster (15:15) gives Meanus Dandy the opportunity to atone for unseating in the Becher Chase at Aintree when last seen in November. He's still set to carry 12 lb more than when successful at Wincanton, though, and has a bit to find with some of these on the figures.

Back at Newbury, Sire Collonges, still very much an unknown quantity after only one hurdles run in Britain, lines up in the two-mile handicap hurdle (15:35). That debut came in the Holloway's Hurdle won by Tiger O'Toole and the experience of a big field will not have been lost on him, though it's difficult to know what he can achieve at present. Physically, he looks sure to come into his own when tackling fences, anyway.

Vertige Dore looks to hold strong claims in the novice hurdle at Doncaster (15:50), as he is one from one in such races. Although he didn't look the easiest of rides in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton last time, the surface might have been a factor there, and he's still very much open to improvement back over obstacles.

Like Vertige Dore, Rangitoto looks to have a great opportunity to land a win in the novice hurdle at Newbury (16:10) after his highly-promising second at Ffos Las on his hurdling debut. A point winner in Ireland, Rangitoto travelled strongly before a possible lack of fitness told close home there and is a certain improver.

The yard sends out another unknown quantity later in the day when Broomfield lines up in the bumper at Newbury (17:20). A half-brother to very smart hurdler/top-class chaser Behrajan, Broomfield will have to be above average to beat the promising pair Hit The Headlines and Medinas.

The final runner of the day, and of the weekend, is Rivaliste in the concluding handicap chase at Doncaster (17:35). Rivaliste needs to step up on what he's shown so far to figure, however, and has Pret A Thou, Silk Drum and I'm Delilah to fear.

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Timeform / 4 Mar 2011