Paul Nicholls

Watch Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat Diary: Ginny's Destiny will go straight to the Turners

  • Paul Nicholls
  • Published on
  • Updated on
  • 3:00 min read
Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls
Paul discusses Ginny's Destiny, Il Ridoto, Stay Away Fay and more on Ditcheat Diary

Watch Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat Diary as he reflects on a big weekend when some of his stable stars were in action at Cheltenham and discusses what's next for them...

  • Ginny's Destiny reminds Paul of Master Minded

  • Stay Away Fay will not run in the Gold Cup

  • Il Ridoto and Rubaud plans


There is plenty to reflect on following a busy weekend with Ginny's Destiny the main act for Team Ditcheat at Cheltenham.

The improving eight-year-old gets a comparison to the great Master Minded from his trainer who also talks to Betfair's Barry Orr about Stay Away Fay, Rabaud, Il Ridoto and Isaac Des Obeaux.

Will Ginny's Destiny run in the Turners Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival?

Paul said: "He was very impressive at Cheltenham on Saturday. He will go straight to the Turners. He loves the track and is very aggressive. He won with a bit in hand.

"Horses don't often improve as rapidly as Ginny's Destiny. But I remember Master Minded all those years ago. He won a handicap at Sandown in January. On his next run he won the Game Spirit, then he won the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. His improvement was incredible and Ginny's Destiny is not far behind that."


Watch Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat Diary


Stay Away Fay stayed on to the line in the Cotswold Chase on Saturday, so is Paul tempted to run him in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival?

"Definitely not. It was a good experience for him on Saturday. He landed on the ditch at the top of the hill and that took the wind out of his sails for a minute. And then he stayed on strongly.

"He will be sharper for the run. He learned well in good company. I am thrilled with him and he goes straight to the Brown Advisory Novices Chase at Cheltenham.

Issac Des Obeaux is another progressive horse and Paul said:

"He ran very well on Saturday. He's a big baby and will be a lovely three mile chaser. I loved the way he stayed up that hill."

Il Ridoto and Rubaud ran nice races

Il Ridoto did not shame himself on Cheltenham's Festival Trials day and Paul said of the horse's performance:

"He went up 5lbs for getting chinned the time before and that made a difference. It was a slow time which may not have suited him. we may ride him more aggressively next time.

"I expect he will go back to the Festival in the Plate. He's in the Ryanair and he could run a good race in that."

As for Rubaud's next race, Paul said:

"He ran a nice race. We always thought he would like Cheltenham and he picked up a bit of prize money. He will go to Wincanton on 17 February, then the Scottish Champion Hurdle and after that he will be chasing."


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