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Weekend Racing: Paul Nicholls on his runners at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton

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Paul Nicholls sends out a battalion of horses - including Master Minded and Chapoturgeon - to meetings across the country on Saturday. Read his exclusive thoughts on all his runners here

13:15, Ascot
Plenty Pocket: (see separate story)

14:25, Ascot
Master Minded: Will always be a victim of his brilliance as everyone continues to compare his performances to that runaway 2008 Champion Chase win. But he is not doing too badly this season after his summer breathing operation. He won well at Ascot on his reappearance and then followed that up with an eight length win from Petit Robin in the rearranged Tingle Creek at Cheltenham last month. He will love going right-handed again here - I actually think that's a huge advantage - and he did a great piece of work on Thursday morning in preparation for this. It is difficult to see Petit Robin reversing the Cheltenham form. I believe he had a breathing operation prior to the Tingle Creek and they were expecting a much improved run there. So, while I respect him and the likes of Mad Max and Somersby, I think he will be very hard to beat.

Tchico Polos: Had already won his Gold Cup this season, the Haldon Gold Cup, but he continues to run well. In fact, he probably ran a career best when second to Cornas at Sandown last time. He will also love going right-handed and the soft ground, and he hopefully he can pick up some crumbs. I will be thrilled if he is placed.

14:55, Ascot
Advisor: Won the novice hurdle on this card last season but has clearly been disappointing since, the one positive being his win in a Jumpers' Bumper at Kempton last month. Is probably fairly handicapped at the moment but he didn't try too hard when running badly at Exeter last time. Hopefully, the first-time blinkers will help and stepping up in trip may, too.

Sire Collonges: Joined us after winning over hurdles at Auteuil last April. That was his only start in France, and the horse he beat five lengths there has done quite well since. So he may have been given a workable handicap off 127. He is a big grey horse, who has taken time to acclimatise and is very much a chaser in the making. And he is also a hard horse to get a handle on at home in that he is a typical Dom Alco in that he isn't a morning glory. So this is a fact finding mission, but I like him and the track and trip will suit, and I hope he will go well.

15:30, Ascot
Breedsbreeze: Was a very classy novice hurdle/chaser two seasons ago, when winning the Feltham among other good races, and returned from a lengthy break to finish an excellent second to Tartak in the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Newbury, a race I thought he would need a lot. There is sometimes a doubt about a horse reproducing their comeback form in these circumstances, but he has given a nice break since Newbury and is going well at home. Running off top weight in these handicaps is never easy, but if he has any pretensions of competing in the Ryanair, then hopefully he will be able to go close to winning here off a mark of 150.

16:05, Ascot
Poungach: Is a big tall individual who made all to win his bumper at Stratford in May. Really pleased me when finishing third to Frascati Park here in November, when he stuck on well over course and distance. May need further in time, and probably still needs more experience, but will hopefully run well again in a competitive race.


13:30, Haydock
Chapoturgeon: Won the Jewson by nine lengths at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and has generally struggled ever since. He has been really slow to come to hand at home, and he found things happening a bit too quick at Exeter last time, but he ran ok all the same. The step up in trip will suit here, and he will have improved a good deal from Exeter. He meets two in-form rivals who won last time out, but this gives him an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.

14:40, Haydock
Robinson Collonges: Was really impressive when a wide-margin winner at Bangor and Hereford, and would have beaten today's rival Wishfull Thinking, whom he was giving 6lb, at Wincanton in November. Was given what I thought was a harsh handicap mark after those performances, but we took our chance at Cheltenham last time and he was still going well and in with a chance when making a bad mistake three out. Has been given a short break but is in good form, and I think he will run a big race here. However, this does look a very competitive five runner race.

15:15, Haydock
Take The Breeze: Improved to finish third at Aintree on his final start last season, and I got him primed to run at Ascot in October - some paddock watchers thought he looked a bit big there but he had done loads of work before that run, and he is a horse who always looks big and well. He ran really well at Ascot but just lost out by 1 ½ lengths after looking to set to win on the run-in. Has been raised 6lb for that, which probably means he in the grip of the handicapper, but conditions will suit here and I have had this race in mind since the Ascot run.

15:50, Haydock
Don't Turn Bach: Has not been the easiest horse to train, and he needs to learn to settle and jump to fulful his potential, as he had very smart winning bumper form when with Willie Mullins. Disappointed at Aintree last season and ran too free and tired in the ground over 2m5f at Warwick in November. Will have learned from that but I suspect he will still need the experience here.


13:40, Wincanton
Bold Addition: I think we had six winners at this meeting a few years back, but I don't think we will be doing that again here. Bold Addition has done well to come back from a near fatal injury at Hereford in December 2009, and has run two solid races at Cheltenham and Taunton. I think he is on a fair mark, conditions will suit and Ryan takes 5lb off: I think he will go well, although winning off top weight in an 18-runner race won't be easy.

14:10, Wincanton
Promising Anshan: Ran a good race when second on his reappearance at Newbury, but that was lost on the handicapper who raised him 6lb. I probably ran him a bit too quick at the same course next time but trip and ground should suit him here and I give him a fair chance.

14:50, Wincanton
That'll Do: Finished second to the classy Black Jack Blues in his bumper, before winning by a street at odds of [1.2] here in October. Was beaten at odds on when third over 2m4f at Taunton last time, but the trip was probably on the short side for him there. This longer trip here will suit and I think he has been given a very workable handicap mark of 120. The only doubt in my mind that is that he may not want the ground too soft; he had a breathing operation before winning his point to point, so that is a potential negative.

16:00, Wincanton
Symphonick: Won the second of his chase starts over 2m1f in France and was travelling nicely when blundering and unseating his rider at Hereford nine days ago, when he thought he was jumping a Bullfinch fence (French style fence) instead of an English open ditch. He is seemingly none the worse for that mishap, and we have done loads of work schooling him at home since. I'm hopeful he will go well.

16:30, Wincanton
Cap Elorn: The form of his bumper fourth at Worcester in October has worked out pretty well but he didn't shine in heavy ground at Chepstow on his hurdling debut at Chepstow. Is a big backward horse that will continue to need the experience.

Ramses De Marcigny: Showed some decent form when winning his bumper at Taunton, and wasn't at all disgraced at Newbury behind Al Ferof next time. He had done enough by the time he ran at Chepstow in March, where the ground was very testing even by that track's standard. Jumps well at home.


To find out Paul's best three chances click here


Ever wanted a share in a Paul Nicholls horse? This Sunday night Paul is playing at Betfair Poker and you can play against him. The winner of this tournament wins a 5% share in Indian Daudaie for the season. There are stable visit prizes and much more. Click here to find out more.

Paul Nicholls / 21 Jan 2011

Weekend Racing: Paul Nicholls on his runners at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton

Weekend Runners RSS / / 21 January 2011 / 8

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Master Minded will be heavy odds on to win on Saturday - are you a backer?

Master Minded will be heavy odds on to win on Saturday - are you a backer?

"Chapoturgeon meets two in-form rivals who won last time out, but this gives him an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways."

Paul Nicholls sends out a battalion of horses - including Master Minded and Chapoturgeon - to meetings across the country on Saturday. Read his exclusive thoughts on all his runners here

13:15, Ascot
Plenty Pocket: (see separate story)

14:25, Ascot
Master Minded: Will always be a victim of his brilliance as everyone continues to compare his performances to that runaway 2008 Champion Chase win. But he is not doing too badly this season after his summer breathing operation. He won well at Ascot on his reappearance and then followed that up with an eight length win from Petit Robin in the rearranged Tingle Creek at Cheltenham last month. He will love going right-handed again here - I actually think that's a huge advantage - and he did a great piece of work on Thursday morning in preparation for this. It is difficult to see Petit Robin reversing the Cheltenham form. I believe he had a breathing operation prior to the Tingle Creek and they were expecting a much improved run there. So, while I respect him and the likes of Mad Max and Somersby, I think he will be very hard to beat.

Tchico Polos: Had already won his Gold Cup this season, the Haldon Gold Cup, but he continues to run well. In fact, he probably ran a career best when second to Cornas at Sandown last time. He will also love going right-handed and the soft ground, and he hopefully he can pick up some crumbs. I will be thrilled if he is placed.

14:55, Ascot
Advisor: Won the novice hurdle on this card last season but has clearly been disappointing since, the one positive being his win in a Jumpers' Bumper at Kempton last month. Is probably fairly handicapped at the moment but he didn't try too hard when running badly at Exeter last time. Hopefully, the first-time blinkers will help and stepping up in trip may, too.

Sire Collonges: Joined us after winning over hurdles at Auteuil last April. That was his only start in France, and the horse he beat five lengths there has done quite well since. So he may have been given a workable handicap off 127. He is a big grey horse, who has taken time to acclimatise and is very much a chaser in the making. And he is also a hard horse to get a handle on at home in that he is a typical Dom Alco in that he isn't a morning glory. So this is a fact finding mission, but I like him and the track and trip will suit, and I hope he will go well.

15:30, Ascot
Breedsbreeze: Was a very classy novice hurdle/chaser two seasons ago, when winning the Feltham among other good races, and returned from a lengthy break to finish an excellent second to Tartak in the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Newbury, a race I thought he would need a lot. There is sometimes a doubt about a horse reproducing their comeback form in these circumstances, but he has given a nice break since Newbury and is going well at home. Running off top weight in these handicaps is never easy, but if he has any pretensions of competing in the Ryanair, then hopefully he will be able to go close to winning here off a mark of 150.

16:05, Ascot
Poungach: Is a big tall individual who made all to win his bumper at Stratford in May. Really pleased me when finishing third to Frascati Park here in November, when he stuck on well over course and distance. May need further in time, and probably still needs more experience, but will hopefully run well again in a competitive race.


13:30, Haydock
Chapoturgeon: Won the Jewson by nine lengths at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and has generally struggled ever since. He has been really slow to come to hand at home, and he found things happening a bit too quick at Exeter last time, but he ran ok all the same. The step up in trip will suit here, and he will have improved a good deal from Exeter. He meets two in-form rivals who won last time out, but this gives him an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.

14:40, Haydock
Robinson Collonges: Was really impressive when a wide-margin winner at Bangor and Hereford, and would have beaten today's rival Wishfull Thinking, whom he was giving 6lb, at Wincanton in November. Was given what I thought was a harsh handicap mark after those performances, but we took our chance at Cheltenham last time and he was still going well and in with a chance when making a bad mistake three out. Has been given a short break but is in good form, and I think he will run a big race here. However, this does look a very competitive five runner race.

15:15, Haydock
Take The Breeze: Improved to finish third at Aintree on his final start last season, and I got him primed to run at Ascot in October - some paddock watchers thought he looked a bit big there but he had done loads of work before that run, and he is a horse who always looks big and well. He ran really well at Ascot but just lost out by 1 ½ lengths after looking to set to win on the run-in. Has been raised 6lb for that, which probably means he in the grip of the handicapper, but conditions will suit here and I have had this race in mind since the Ascot run.

15:50, Haydock
Don't Turn Bach: Has not been the easiest horse to train, and he needs to learn to settle and jump to fulful his potential, as he had very smart winning bumper form when with Willie Mullins. Disappointed at Aintree last season and ran too free and tired in the ground over 2m5f at Warwick in November. Will have learned from that but I suspect he will still need the experience here.


13:40, Wincanton
Bold Addition: I think we had six winners at this meeting a few years back, but I don't think we will be doing that again here. Bold Addition has done well to come back from a near fatal injury at Hereford in December 2009, and has run two solid races at Cheltenham and Taunton. I think he is on a fair mark, conditions will suit and Ryan takes 5lb off: I think he will go well, although winning off top weight in an 18-runner race won't be easy.

14:10, Wincanton
Promising Anshan: Ran a good race when second on his reappearance at Newbury, but that was lost on the handicapper who raised him 6lb. I probably ran him a bit too quick at the same course next time but trip and ground should suit him here and I give him a fair chance.

14:50, Wincanton
That'll Do: Finished second to the classy Black Jack Blues in his bumper, before winning by a street at odds of [1.2] here in October. Was beaten at odds on when third over 2m4f at Taunton last time, but the trip was probably on the short side for him there. This longer trip here will suit and I think he has been given a very workable handicap mark of 120. The only doubt in my mind that is that he may not want the ground too soft; he had a breathing operation before winning his point to point, so that is a potential negative.

16:00, Wincanton
Symphonick: Won the second of his chase starts over 2m1f in France and was travelling nicely when blundering and unseating his rider at Hereford nine days ago, when he thought he was jumping a Bullfinch fence (French style fence) instead of an English open ditch. He is seemingly none the worse for that mishap, and we have done loads of work schooling him at home since. I'm hopeful he will go well.

16:30, Wincanton
Cap Elorn: The form of his bumper fourth at Worcester in October has worked out pretty well but he didn't shine in heavy ground at Chepstow on his hurdling debut at Chepstow. Is a big backward horse that will continue to need the experience.

Ramses De Marcigny: Showed some decent form when winning his bumper at Taunton, and wasn't at all disgraced at Newbury behind Al Ferof next time. He had done enough by the time he ran at Chepstow in March, where the ground was very testing even by that track's standard. Jumps well at home.


To find out Paul's best three chances click here


Ever wanted a share in a Paul Nicholls horse? This Sunday night Paul is playing at Betfair Poker and you can play against him. The winner of this tournament wins a 5% share in Indian Daudaie for the season. There are stable visit prizes and much more. Click here to find out more.

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  1. Mike Robertson | 22 January 2011

    Shame about Haydock , was looking forward to watching Take the Breeze and Robinson Collonges but such is life and there are plenty of your other horses i'll be cheering on at Ascot and Wincanton. Best wishes for today Mr Nicholls, hope they all come back safe and sound(and with a first place to their name would be nice).

    Mick.

  2. paul | 22 January 2011

    paul nicholls is the champion trainer,and rightly so on previous campaigns.But after watching his 2 juvenile hurdlers brampour (which he said he had e-w bet 33-1,on triumph hdl),and plenty pockets (both highly rated french flat horses),i would have reservations about sending him these type of horses in the future .Both horses have regressed since being in his stable.Brampour was beaten on his hdl debut by a horse (kazzene (pipe)),even though he had superior form to that horse in france.Plenty pockets was tailed off on his hdl debut,even behind a horse magic prospect (debut,charlie mann),that he had beaten easily over 12 fur in france.Why the regress ! nicky henderson juveniles always seem to improve,when sent to him from the flat,why not paul nicholls !

  3. anom | 23 January 2011

    i wouldnt criticise what paul does with the horses he gets from france as luck at the ones hes had the last few seasons and how much he has proved them just think his stable is not 100% right now and plenty pockets ran to freely anyway and brampour might not stay 2 miles ? as he has won over 5f on the flat i wouldnt give up on none of his horses yet even though i think grandouet is progressing so much i think it will take a good one to beat him in the triumph and kautos run surelly was to bag to be true to me like quite a few latelly eg sam winner so my advice is bet carefully his horses till u see them come back in form and dont give up on any that run bad inbetween now and untill bysiness picks up

  4. paul | 23 January 2011

    brampour was 2nd in a listed race on the flat at 1 mile 7 fur-i think your getting mixed up-i would have backed these horses no matter what trainer they are with,but am a little disappointed how they ran for the champion trainer !

  5. anom | 24 January 2011

    think u should check your records as yes he did run over 1 mile 7 but he won at 5f also

  6. paul | 24 January 2011

    checked racing post data base,brampour has never run over 5 fur,made its debut over 12 fur.I wish it had then maybe paul nicholls could have a valid excuse as to why it has gone backwards since joining him !

  7. lewi 38 | 25 January 2011

    hi think i heared that horse ran over 5 f also in ireland unsure though anyway still disapointing run from him

  8. paul | 26 January 2011

    its a horse from agha khan stud,french trainer,french jockey,and started its career over 10 fur-most agha khan horses are bred for stamina not sprints-but maybe paul nicholls is training it for 5 furlong sprints when he takes out his flat licence !