Cheltenham Festival reaction and Aintree plans for No Drama This End and more
Cheltenham didn't go to plan for us, although Quebecois, Regent's Stroll and Pourquoi Pas Papa all ran well. It didn't happen for No Drama This End unfortunately. It was just one of those weeks but the positive is that every horse that ran came out of Cheltenham well and any that we can run at Aintree can go there.
No Drama This End will have a couple of Aintree entries. Obviously, I've got Talk To The Man, who has been very impressive, and he will run in one of the two novices' hurdles at Aintree.
Quebecois might go to Ayr if he goes anywhere. Regent's Stroll will probably run in the Grade 1 Novices' Chase. We will have plenty of runners at Aintree and we are looking forward to it.
We're targeting £2m prize money for 23rd season in a row
I am one winner off 80 for the season. We will have a busy April, with lots of horses from the yard to run on the better ground, and I would love to crack the 100 winners mark as I always do.
I'm not far off £2m in prize money for the season and I think every season since 2003 we have got over that line, so that would not be a bad target, considering we have had an ok season.
We have won some nice races, with some lovely horses for next year, although I definitely need to thin out some and try to buy some new ones. It is always a challenge, but we are looking forward, so it is onwards and upwards.
Paul Nicholls' Saturday runners at Newbury
13:50 Newbury - Grand Vendetta
His mark of 120 in this handicap is workable but I will monitor the ground and make sure it doesn't dry up too much for him. He won on heavy ground the last day at Taunton, and this is drying up a little bit. He is a lovely, young horse and needs to get experience before he probably goes chasing next season.
This is tough but I think Grand Vendetta will run very well if he runs and is my best chance on Saturday afternoon.
14:25 Newbury - Knappers Hill
We thought we were being clever by trying to qualify him for the veteran's final but heavy ground doesn't suit him and never has. Outlaw Peter came out of that race and ran really well last week, and I think Knappers Hill will do the same here. He is getting to a workable mark and, while obviously he is not getting any younger, it would not surprise me if he went well. Harry Cobden chose him of the two in this race. He has enjoyed brilliant success in his career, and I think there is more to come from him.
14:25 Newbury - Twinjets
He should get his ideal ground this Saturday with it being a bit quicker. He is handicapped to the hilt though, which is why we are taking five off him, but he was well-placed and able to dominate in his races earlier in the season. Last time, he was taken on from the start, they went to quick and it just didn't happen. He sulks a bit when he gets in behind, but this smaller field will suit him but I do think he is handicapped to the hilt.
16:45 Newbury - Makin'yourmindup
Another who will be ok as long as the ground doesn't dry up to much, so I will monitor that. He hated the heavy ground the last day at Lingfield. Several have come out of that race and not run very well. He has won at Newbury before, so if he runs on Saturday, he will have a good chance.
Paul Nicholls Saturday runners at Kelso
Kelso 14:10 - Beauty In The Park
This is a competitive £100K race for fillies and there are 20 runners. Nicky Henderson's horse Khrisma, which runs here, was unlucky not to get in at Cheltenham last week. But Beauty In The Park won the other day and got a mark of 114 so we weren't going to run her again. We think we are nicely handicapped, but it is a hot race, and she will need everything to go right for her. She is progressive.
Now read Alan Dudman's Antepost Racing Tips for Kelso on Saturday