Nicholls' Cheltenham Runners: The Timeform Review

Timeform discuss what can only be described as a rollercoaster four days at the Cheltenham Festival for Paul Nicholls...

Nine represented the Ditcheat outfit on the opening day but the horse who stepped up to the plate was in fact one of a reported 30 based 25 miles away from the yard in the trainers' satellite setup at Seaborough.

Rock On Ruby is the horse in question, and the seven-year-old, who went into the Champion Hurdle as one of the least experienced after just six races over timber, showed himself a top-class hurdler (ran to Timeform rating of 171) with a determined three-and-three-quarter-length defeat of admirable pace-setter Overturn. Rock On Ruby was always comfortable behind the leader and his fluent jumping stood him in good stead. There's no reason why he couldn't come back in 12 months and run another big race, though it remains to be seen if he is reliant on a strongly-run race over the minimum trip.

The previously unbeaten Zarkandar fared best of the other three Nicholls runners in the race, emerging with credit and raising his master rating to 161 in staying on for fifth. Zarkandar, who didn't take the eye beforehand, seemed to get outpaced running down the hill and should prove better suited to the Aintree Hurdle over half a mile further next month.

Al Ferof was the other high-profile Nicholls runner on Tuesday but he could only finish fourth of six to Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle Chase. That said, second favourite Al Ferof was in a narrow lead when taking off too soon and banking the tenth, and his previous form clearly highlights he has the ability to win plenty more races.

Prospect Wells produced a career-best to finish a close fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (tongue tied for the first time), having had a breathing operation since disappointing in the Tolworth.

With both Join Together (RSA Chase) and Kauto Stone (Champion Chase) failing to complete in their respective races, the undoubted highlight for the champion trainer on Wednesday was Harry The Viking in the four-mile National Hunt Chase. Harry The Viking went into the race undefeated in four starts (two over fences) since finishing in the runner-up spot behind stablemate Oscargo in a Chepstow maiden hurdle on debut almost exactly a year ago and emerged with plenty of credit in filling the same position behind Teaforthree having lost his position at a crucial stage. Clearly laden with stamina, he could be a Scottish National type.

Unsurprisingly, World Hurdle Day belonged to the best staying hurdler that there's ever been in Big Buck's, the nine-year-old needing only to run up to 168 (master figure 176+)t o win his fourth consecutive staying hurdle championship event at the Festival and his 16th race in succession. That winning streak includes 15 Grade 1/2s, and his latest defeat of Voler La Vedette, who incidentally ran a superb race and for a split-second looked likely to give Big Buck's something to think about having been switched to the near side rail at the last, merely cemented further the fact that there's no chinks in his armour. It's fair to assume next up will be Aintree, where he's been successful in each of the last four seasons, over fences on the first occasion.

The stable may well be thankful that the win of Big Buck's helped conceal some disappointing performances for the other Thursday horses, Five Dream admittedly outclassed against his stablemate in the World Hurdle but Cristal Bonus (Jewson Novices' Chase) and Crack Away Jack both pulled up in their respective races and Sonofvic taking a heavy fall at the last (weakening fifth at the time) in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle.

Pearl Swan was the better-fancied of the Nicholls pair in Friday's opener, the Triumph Hurdle, but fell at the last and it was once-raced Dodging Bullets who flew the flag. Dodging Bullets did just that, travelling as well as anything turning for home and ultimately doing very well to finish fourth, less than four lengths behind surprise winner Countrywide Flame. Dual Flat winner Dodging Bullets improved as expected from his debut second to Grumeti in the Dovecote and it will be interesting to see whether he can take another step forward if lining up at Aintree next month.

Even closer to registering the yard's third victory at this year's Festival was Edgardo Sol in the following 28-runner County Hurdle. The [36.19]-shot was given a great ride by promising conditional Harry Derham, scything through the pack late on and failing only by three quarters of a length to catch the Tony McCoy-ridden winner Alderwood. Prior to the race Nicholls had stated that he felt that shorter-priced entry Ted Spread was in need of a breathing operation and, after again failing to pick up, it will be surprising should he not have had the procedure when next surfacing.

Sadly the finah hurrah wasn't to be for Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, the greatest chaser of his generation pulled up before half way in the race won by Synchronised. Kauto Star, who hit a peak Timeform rating of 191 during his illustrious career, was applauded both in the parade ring pre-race and when making his way back to the stands. What A Friend, fourth in the race last year, fell at the second.

Timeform / 16 Mar 2012