Paul Nicholls' Weekend Runners: The Timeform review

Newbury's two-day meeting in early-March has proved a happy hunting ground for Paul Nicholls down the years, with the yard saddling no less than fourteen winners there since 2004.

Therefore, this weekend's return of no wins from nine runners at the Berkshire track - plus nought from five at Doncaster over the same two days - must be viewed as slightly worrying for Nicholls as he puts the finishing touches to his Cheltenham Festival preparations, for all that the yard operated at a highly respectable strike rate of 23% during February.

Most of the media attention at Newbury, of course, centred around the long-awaited comeback of stable jockey Ruby Walsh, who'd been sidelined since early-November with a broken leg. Three of Walsh's five comeback rides at Newbury were sent off a short-priced favourite, yet third was the highest position he could manage.

In truth, Grand National hopeful Niche Market was always likely to find the trip too short in the Greatwood Gold Cup and he never really looked like providing the yard with its fifth win from the last six renewals of this valuable event. However, the gelding looked in really good shape beforehand and, having undergone a breathing operation since last seen, promises to be a different proposition in the Aintree showpiece, where Walsh would obviously be an asset should he plump for this ride (another Grand National possible Ornais simply isn't the force of old and could manage only second in Friday's hunter chase). There was less obvious excuses for stable-companion Take The Breeze, however, as he was held when falling heavily at the last in the same race and seems to have rather lost his way following a good start to the campaign.

Walsh's comeback ride Don't Turn Bach would appear to have even more fundamental problems, as this big-money purchase continues to shape like a horse with physical problems and isn't one to be interested in at present, for all he's potentially well handicapped on his bumper form. Other disappointments on Friday were Forlovenormoney and River d'Or, who are also beginning to look costly flops.

The well-backed pair Rangitoto and Broomfield also failed to last home quite so well as seemed likely in the staying novice hurdle and bumper respectively on Saturday, though inexperience probably played its part and both are likely to go on to better things.

By contrast, French import Sire Collonges was doing all of his best work in the latter stages when third behind the impressive Via Galilei in the two-mile handicap hurdle, shaping altogether more convincingly than on his British debut, and he looks one to keep an eye on in similar company over the coming weeks.

It was also a mixed bag for the stable over at Doncaster, where the lightly-raced Our Bomber Harris proved too clumsy for his own good when managing only a remote fourth on his chasing debut. Jumping is also very much the concern with Rivaliste, who shaped as if back in much better heart when third behind Elite Land on Saturday, but typically compromised his chance with several mistakes.

Meanwhile, both Meanus Dandy and Vertige Dore were found wanting in the latter stages of their races at Doncaster on Saturday, which must be viewed as slightly worrying - admittedly the pair were returning from winter breaks, but fitness isn't usually an issue with runners from this top-notch yard.

On a positive note, however, is worth noting that the last time Nicholls drew a blank over this weekend came in 2007, and the yard went on to saddle four winners at that year's Cheltenham Festival!

Phil Turner / 7 Mar 2011