Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Sunday runners at Kempton

Paul Nicholls
20 October 2013

Will Paul find success at Kempton?

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Paul sends three horses to Kempton for Sunday's action - here are this exclusive thoughts on the trio...

"With a clear and good round of jumping, I'd obviously be hoping that he can make a winning start over fences here."

Paul Nicholls on Dodging Bullets

14:15, Kempton - Aldopicgros

Won a 1m4f bumper in the French provinces back in April, and jumps and goes nicely at home. But he was very green in winning his race in France, and I suspect that he still has a fair bit of growing up to do. Against that, this may not be the strongest of Kempton juvenile contests. But I like to let the racecourse do the talking when it comes to my youngsters as we are not hard on them at home.

14:45, Kempton - Dodging Bullets

I still don't know to this day why he ran so badly at Cheltenham and Aintree at the end of last season. It is a complete mystery. Because we had such high hopes for him after his third in the Christmas Hurdle here. Given that he is rated 154 over hurdles, we had little option but to send him chasing this season - though I was half-tempted by the 2m hurdle on the card before Rock On Ruby and The New One were confirmed for that! - but the early signs at home are very encouraging, including when he schooled on Thursday morning. With a clear and good round of jumping, I'd obviously be hoping that he can make a winning start over fences here.

17:30, Kempton - Howlongisafoot

Won his only start in an Irish point and then he won his bumper for us at Newton Abbot in April. Is a nice prospect but I think he will need some rain if we are to run him today. It looks a pretty decent race, too, but we do like our horse.