Paul Nicholls Saturday Runners: Beau Balko the best chance of my six at Newbury

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A lot to look forward to on Saturday with one in the bumper getting a special mention!@PFNicholls talks through his runners with @BetfairBarry. pic.twitter.com/38nZz0qXkK

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Newbury 14:05 - Jackpot Des Bordes

The form of his win at Taunton in November has been well franked by the runner up. He ran alright next time on ground that was probably too soft for him.

He has a nice light weight racing off a mark of 118 and I'm trying cheekpieces to sharpen up his jumping. He has his chance in a competitive race on ground he will appreciate.

Newbury 14:40 - Matterhorn

He rapidly became a star among our summer team, jumping boldly as he rattled up a four timer over fences on dry ground that suits him so well.

He then failed to recover from an early mistake at Newton Abbot in August before he bled when finishing in the rest at Ascot in November.

While he has had a little break, and is nice and fresh, his current handicap mark of 145 is far too high for a horse campaigned in the summer. I'd say he will improve for the run.

Newbury 15:15 - Clotilda

This is a bit of a shot in the dark for Clotilda who won nicely on her debut for us at Huntingdon in December but was not at her best on her last start at Ffos Las.

She should be well suited by the step up in trip to two-and-a-half miles.

Newbury 16:25 - Talk To The Man

He's a gorgeous individual, joined us after winning his only Point-to-Point in Ireland and this valuable sales race has always been the long term plan.

He ran OK on his only start for us in a bumper testing at Exeter New Year's Day when he hated the testing ground.

He is working nicely and will be much more effective on decent ground at Newbury which should see a big improvement in him.

Newbury 17:00 - Beau Balko

He's very consistent and again ran well when finishing fourth at this track three weeks ago over two-and-a half.

He was a bit too keen that day so I'm dropping him back to two miles here ridden by Ben Bromley who gets a decent tune out of him. Good chance.

Newbury 17:35 - Golden Son

I was encouraged by his run into third place in a handicap over three miles at Kempton over Christmas but he disappointed me in the competitive £150,000 Ladbrokes Trophy at the same course last month.

He is a bit in and out, perhaps because he is high enough in the weights. If you put a line through his last run, he would have a chance and, while he has something to prove now, I'm hopeful of a return to form back in calmer waters. 

Paul Best Chance on Saturday - Beau Balko, 17:00: "The step back to two miles gives him strong claims." 

Timeform Verdict

Beau Balko - 17:00 Newbury

Paul Nicholls has several outside chances on Saturday but the best of them could be Beau Balko. He's an incredibly consistent horse, hitting the frame more often than not over fences, and he didn't shape too badly in a more competitive handicap than this over two and a half miles at this course three weeks ago.

Beau Balko probably sat too close to a strong pace that day, the first two home ridden more patiently, and his earlier exertions seemingly told in the closing stages. The drop back to two miles should suit, while he goes well on a sound surface, and he's now just 3lb above his last winning mark.

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