Paul Nicholls: The thoughts on my seven Saturday runners at Kempton and Chepstow

Paul Nicholls
24 February 2017

Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls will saddle five runners at Kempton on Saturday

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The weekends become a little quieter for most trainers as the Cheltenham Festival edges ever closer, and here Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls talks exclusively about his seven runners at Kempton and Chepstow on Saturday...

14:25 - Frodon

"He was mad fresh on Thursday morning, in great heart, bucking and squealing. At this stage two and half miles on good ground is ideal for him and that is what he gets at Kempton. Big chance."

Kempton

13:15 - Rainy City

Has been off through the worst of the winter because he can't handle soft ground so will appreciate drier conditions here. Kempton is a nice place to start his spring campaign as he is better going right handed. He could run well, too, though it will not be easy giving weight all round.

Rainy City is in the Pertemps Final but we will see how he goes here before we make any plans.

13:15 - Coastal Tiep

Won a nice novice hurdle over this distance at this track and is another who has been waiting for better ground.

Hopefully Coastal Tiep will perform well here and learn from getting in amongst experienced, streetwise handicapper before going on to win a couple more novice hurdles in the spring.

14:25 - Frodon

Has been a legend for us over fences this season, winning five times, most recently at Musselburgh where he jumped for fun out in front.

He was mad fresh on Thursday morning, in great heart, bucking and squealing. At this stage two and half miles on good ground is ideal for him and that is what he gets at Kempton. Big chance.

15:00 - Capitaine

A lovely prospect who found the heavy going a bit too much for him at Sandown last time when he chased home Finian's Oscar who is highly rated.

I thought he did very well that day considering he didn't get the run of the race and made a mistake at the second last which cost him a few lengths.

This ground will suit him a lot better before he goes to either Cheltenham or Aintree. I like him a lot.

15:35 - Irish Saint

I've had this race in mind for a while for Irish Saint who won the Pendil Chase two years ago and ran a cracker last time when he didn't quite get home up the Sandown hill on seriously testing ground after travelling as well as anything to the Pond fence, three from the finish.

He remains in good shape at home, is at his best on a flat track and should go close.

Chepstow

13:55 - Two Hoots

A raw, inexperienced, backward horse who is still a bit weak. With him it is all about learning his job. He should improve with practise and be a better horse on better ground in time.

15:40 - Red Hanrahan

Returned to action later than planned at Newbury a fortnight ago after a little setback before Christmas. He travelled nicely through that race before getting there a little bit too soon and then tiring late on.

He is bound to improve for that outing, will be fine on the soft ground at Chepstow and a decent show here should be enough to qualify him for the Pertemps Final at Newbury. Good each-way chance.

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