Paul Nicholls: Ready to Roque at Wincanton on Boxing Day

I have five runners at Wincanton - here are my thoughts..

Follow up win is on

14:03 - Roque It

He made a pleasing debut over fences with a nine length victory in a novice handicap Chase at Taunton late in November. He jumped soundly that day, stays very well and looks to have a decent chance of following up on a 6lbs higher mark.

Back to hurdles for Buck's

14:38 - Barbados Buck's

He hasn't taken to fences in two starts this season so I'm switching him back to hurdles to sharpen him up and see where we are with him. As he just hasn't performed over fences I feel it's worth giving him another try over hurdles though he is on a high enough mark after winning three on the bounce last season.

Time for Saint to step up

14:38 - Saint Sonnet

He is such a stuffy horse, so hard to get fit and, unusually for one of mine, probably needed his second run when finishing down the field at Newbury last month. He looks straighter now and enjoyed a change of routine on Monday with a day's hunting with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale hounds.

It's time for him to step up and run a better race.

Wincanton return could suit Confirmation

15:13 - Confirmation Bias

I was hoping that he would come into his own over fences so it was disappointing that he didn't jump with any fluency at Lingfield a month ago in a novice handicap Chase when he was eventually pulled up. He has had plenty of schooling since then and deserves another chance at Wincanton where he has twice been successful.

Flat track could suit

15:45 - Holetown Hero

He just needed his first run a little bit at Ascot at the end of October and got tired late on. He has come on for the experience and I'm hopeful the flatter nature of the track at Wincanton will be more suitable.

Best chance on Boxing Day

Bravemansgame in the 13:55 at Kempton

He is proving a natural over fences and has a great chance of completing the hat-trick. You can read about Bravemansgame and all my other runners at the track in my Kempton column.