Paul Nicholls: The verdict on my Saturday runners at Ascot, Haydock and Taunton

Paul Nicholls
20 January 2017

Paul Nicholls has runners at Haydock, Ascot, and Taunton on Saturday

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Paul Nicholls has five runners at Ascot should that meeting get the go ahead on Saturday, but he also has chances at Haydock and Taunton, and here the Betfair Ambassador talks exclusively about them all...

Haydock 14:40 - Irving

"But he goes well on testing ground and showed his liking for the course when winning the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle last season."

The verdict on my Ascot runners...

Ascot - 12:40
Dolos

This is a horse I really like. He is a chaser in the making and already has solid form over hurdles for us having finished third in a Grade 1 at Auteuil and then again at Chepstow. Dolos should enjoy taking on less exalted company here and I'd expect him to go close.

Ascot - 13:15
More Buck's

Keeps running well but is also creeping up to handicap after a series of consistent performances. I felt three miles at Kempton last time just stretched his stamina and the drop back to two and a half miles should be ideal for him.

With Will Biddick in the saddle More Buck's should go well again.

Ascot - 14:25
Adrien Du Pont

Was going nicely last time until he unseated Sam Twiston- Davies. He has has plenty of weight here because he is a classy horse with form in the book though he is basically marking time before he goes over fences next season.

Adrien Du Pont ran very well in a Grade 1 race at Auteuil earlier in the season, finishing third, and I am hopeful of a good show here.

Ascot - 15:00
Dodging Bullets

Has become disappointing after his great series of wins two seasons ago and has it all to do here.

It is hard to know what to expect from Dodging Bullets now. I felt he would appreciate the longer trip at Huntingdon and while he didn't seem to stay the two and a half miles I am not convinced stamina was the issue.

Ascot - 15:35
Irish Saint

A talented horse who has Graded form over hurdles and fences but was forced to miss last season with a minor injury.

Tough and genuine he ran well on his comeback but then jumped a bit rustily on his return to fences. I'd expect him to be a fair bit sharper for that run.

The verdict on my Haydock runners...

Haydock - 13:30
Politlogue

Has looked really good on both his starts over fences this season and returns to the scene of his first success in a novice chase where he jumped like a natural and won with any amount in hand.

At this early stage Politologue is shaping up to be one of our stars of the future and he remains in good form at home.

Haydock - 14:40
Irving

Not easy to train but bounced back with a spirited success in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle with the help of an enterprising ride from Harry Cobden. While I've freshened him up since then the 8lbs penalty for that triumph makes life a great deal harder for Irving.

But he goes well on testing ground and showed his liking for the course when winning the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle last season.

Haydock - 15:15
Virak

A thoroughly genuine horse who is handicapped to the hilt after a sequence of good runs last season. So he is not easy to place and also didn't perform to his best last time. While Virak is at his best in testing conditions and Harry Cobden takes off a handy 3lbs I'd say he faces a tough task here.

The verdict on my Taunton runners...

Taunton - 13:10
Cash Again

Has taken time to come to hand this season and definitely didn't handle the deep ground last time at Ffos Las where he also jumped moderately. I am hoping that better ground at Taunton will bring out some improvement.

Taunton - 14:55
Winningtry

Has run well in both his races this season without quite managing to win and should be suited by this trip and ground. Laser Light looks the one we have to beat.

Taunton - 15:30
Romain de Senam

Only just touched off in the Fred Winter at the Festival 10 months ago, had a wind op in the summer and has run well, jumping soundly over fences on both his starts this season.

We are putting the hood back on Romain de Senam who should go close in his current form.

Taunton - 16:00
Garo de Juilley

Has been a bit disappointing since joining us from France and bled last time so we have been training him differently since then by turning him out in a paddock every day after his morning work. I am hoping he might be a spring horse and should know more after he runs here equipped with a tongue tie for the first time.

Taunton, 16:30
Clic Work

Won very nicely at Doncaster last time, which was his second success of the season, and I'm hopeful that two miles on this sharp track will be just up his street. Must have a good chance.

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