Paul Nicholls: The views on my New Year's Day runners at Cheltenham and Exeter

Paul Nicholls
31 December 2016

Paul sends seven runners to Cheltenham on New Year's Day

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Paul Nicholls is off to Cheltenham to see in the New Year and he also has runners at Exeter, and here the Betfair Ambassador talks exclusively about the 10 horses that will be trying to start 2017 with a win...

13:25 - Clan Des Obeaux

"I think the world of this horse and you could see why after he put in a faultless display last time at Newbury on his second start over fences."

Cheltenham

12:50 - Arpege d'Alene

Shapes like a thorough stayer and kept on all the way to the line last time to finish a creditable second to the smart Singlefarmpayment at Cheltenham just over three weeks ago.

I swerved the Coral Welsh National with him because he prefers the better ground he should get here at Cheltenham.

I expect him to go very well and am already thinking he could be just the right type for the Scottish National over four miles at Ayr in April.

13:25 - Clan Des Obeaux

I think the world of this horse and you could see why after he put in a faultless display last time at Newbury on his second start over fences. Sean Bowen was blown away by the way he travelled and jumped against decent opposition.

While Clan Des Obeaux continues to thrive at home I would like to see plenty of rain for him ahead of this race. But he will run provided the ground is safe.

14:00 - As de Mee

Put in a brilliant, career best performance last time over the National fences at Aintree, jumping boldly among the leaders and keeping on willingly to win with something to spare. That was in marked contrast to his previous effort at Cheltenham when he was always struggling in the rear.

Aintree showed that he wants riding positively so that is what Sean Bowen will set out to do. Although this looks extremely competitive As de Mee will relish the good ground and remains in good form so he is definitely in with a chance.

14:35 - Rainy City

The faster the ground the better for Rainy City who has had a busy time, winning twice in the summer and will have a break after this ahead of a spring campaign. Any rain that falls at Cheltenham would be a negative for him. If he shows he gets this three mile trip well we could bring him back for the Pertemps final at the Festival.

15:10 - Old Guard

Ran a lot better last time at Cheltenham when third to The New One after getting stuck in the mud at Haydock on his return to hurdles.

The likely good ground here will suit him very well and I'd say he is crying out for this step up to two and a half miles at a course where he excels.

15:10 - Adrien Du Pont

In contrast I'd like to see some rain for Adrien Du Pont who showed last time in a valuable Grade 1 race at Auteuil that he is suited by this sort of trip.

This is a proper horse who wasn't beaten far in third place that day. Like a few of my nicer young horses he is marking time until he goes over fences next season. If I think conditions are too quick for him I could pull him out.

15:40 - Dynamite Dollars

A lovely prospect who ran very well on his debut for us in a muddling race where they went no gallop before it turned into a sprint. While that didn't suit him he has improved enormously for that run. This looks competitive enough which you would expect given the prize money but he has a chance.

Exeter

12:40 - Touch Kick

Has been too keen for his own good in his first two races over hurdles so we are trying him in a hood to help him relax. It seems to work on him at home so we hope it will help him take a step forward at Exeter.

There is no doubt that Touch Kick has the ability to win races but he won't do it with the choke fully out.

13:15 - Far West

Very smart on his day, he missed the whole of last season with a tendon injury. While he has done well and has been showing plenty of zest in his work I suspect he will improve for the run.

13:15 - Capeland

Has been progressive for us winning both his bumpers including the Listed one at Cheltenham 12 months ago. He ran very well on his debut over hurdles when he was a bit unlucky before winning snuggly next time at Newton Abbot.

Capeland was entered at Kempton over Christmas but I felt the longer trip and stiffer track at Exeter together with softer ground should suit him better.

He has been given a workable mark of 122 and should go well.