Paul Nicholls: Reflections on a very good day at Taunton

There was a trio of very pleasing winners for Paul today - so what are his plans for Dildar, Sanctuaire and Ted Spread? Read on for news on that trio and more

It was a big day for the stable at Taunton - and thankfully the big guns delivered.

All eyes were on Dildar on his hurdling debut, and I was delighted with the win. I had made no secret of the fact that he had been pleasing me at home - impressing as much in his homework as all my highly-rated, top juveniles - so some people may have been expecting a lot more from him than a narrow win.

But the track is where they have to deliver, and I was thrilled with the victory.

Yes, the level of form wouldn't be anywhere near that of Pearl Swan (officially rated 146), Ranjaan and Hinterland (141), but you only have to look at how the first two improved from their debuts to see the potential.

He jumped a bit novice-y in sticky ground but he showed his Flat speed to take the race and the experience will stand him in great stead for the bigger tasks ahead. I know everyone will want to know who I rate as my number one juvenile hope at the moment but they are all different types, and Dildar goes for the Adonis next. We will see what we have there.

Pearl Swan, Hinterland and Ranjaan will all have entries in the Supreme and the Fred Winter, as well as the Triumph, to keep my options open.

And I will have also an ex-French horse called Ulck Du Lin in the Fred Winter; he will go straight to that race.

And to finish off on the juvenile front, I run a horse called Dodging Bullets at Taunton on February 9. He, too, is a nice prospect.

You couldn't fail to be impressed by Sanctuaire's chasing debut. Yes, he got his own way in front, but they couldn't live with him and he hosed in. Sanctuaire will obviously get an entry in the Arkle and I have yet to speak at length to Jared, but please hold your bets on him for that race.

He could well miss Cheltenham, and instead go to Sandown in March and then on to Aintree, where 2m and a flat track would really play to his strengths.

Ted Spread dotted up in a first time tongue tie today but I wouldn't go overboard about the form; with all due respect to the opposition, it wasn't the strongest of races. That said, he had Group form on the Flat, has an entry in the Supreme and will be entered in all the handicaps at the Festival.

So, all in all, a very satisfactory day that has us looking forward with great hope.

Finally, you may have seen my earlier tweet, but I have entered two for the Grand National, Neptune Collonges and Niche Market.

But more about them, and plenty of other exclusive news and stable updates, in my columns here on Friday evening and Saturday morning - with the weather forecast, let's hope we have some runners to talk about, too.

Paul Nicholls / 31 Jan 2012