Paul Nicholl's - Where His Chasers Will Be Heading

Paul Nicholls has recently outlined his plans for 'Team Ditcheat's' squad of chasers before the new year. The chasing unit has been the spearhead of the Nicholl's stable in previous campaigns, which has won 7 consecutive trainers championships. Although this years members probably don't have the strength in depth of previous years, there is still much to look forward to!


Silviniaco Conti:
Is pencilled in for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby later this month. He was a good winner at Aintree in the Spring and although Champion Court and Join Together wouldn't have been the best 3 mile novices around last year, he thumped them by 13 lengths. He appears to prefer a flat track and sharp 3 miles which he should get at Wetherby. He's a sound jumper so Wetherby's stiff fences shouldn't be a problem, I don't know what else is entered for the Charlie Hall but you would say this fella has a lot in his favour. From there, the King George may be his next target if all goes well.

Join Together:
A trip across the Irish Sea is on the cards for this horse. Down Royal is his destination, I assume for the JN Wine chase that Kauto Star made his own. If this horse had never run at a Cheltenham Festival I think he would be held in much higher regard. On his two visits to the meeting he has been pulled up, but his other runs in the season have been quite impressive, including wins at Cheltenham's November and December meetings last year. He could have a squeak in the race bearing in mind he tends to run his best races towards the beginning of the year, but he may be outclassed with horses such as Sizing Europe also being aimed at the race. He is another who may go to Kempton on Boxing Day looking further ahead.

Cristal Bonus:
He is also off to Down Royal. Think his target is the 2m 1/2 mile chase that Kauto Stone won last year. If you put a scratch through his run at the Festival, where he was a very poorly horse, he had a good season last year. Bought out of the Evan Williams yard this time last year, he had a very progressive season which culminated in a brave second to Menorah at Aintree. He had to lead which wasn't ideal, but to his credit he plugged on from the front to chase home the winner by 7 lengths. I think he may want 3 miles in time, (ran in Cleeve Hurde behind Grands Crus in 2011 while with Evan Williams) but for the time being this looks like a nice starting point. It wouldn't be a shock if he was in the shake up. Like the above, the King George could be on the agenda around Christmas time. 3 miles on a flat track should be right up his street.

Tidal Bay:
He will be hard to place this year after his easy win in what was the Whitbread at Sandown in May. He is another for the King George before the Grand National trials come along after Christmas.

Sanctuaire

Sanctuaire:
Sanctuaire is Sandown bound for a potentially mouth watering clash with 2011 Queen Mother winner Sizing Europe and 2013 ante-post favourite Sprinter Sacre. What makes it better is I will be there! (For those reading this who may be offended that me and dad haven't invited you, we will be in contact in due course, the idea only sprung up on Saturday night in a slightly alcohol influenced conversation). He was a very easy winner of the Celebration Chase at Sandown on the last day of the 2012 national hunt season and you would expect him to build on that win this season. He is a headstrong type, but it seems to be to his advantage as he attacks his fences and jumps them with real zest. Sandown's stiff jumping test will either be a happy hunting ground or a graveyard. If he has a clear round, he will go close. If he gets one wrong, that will be his race over. Whether he is on the same level as the other two I don't know. We will find out at Sandown won't we!

Al Ferof

Al Ferof:
He will be stepped up in trip this season, the plan is to reappear at Huntingdon for the Peterborough Chase before a crack at the King George. This year looks to be a fact finding mission for the grey. The main question that needs to be answered is: what is his optimum trip? Once the answer is found, he will be an easier horse to place and long-term targets can be drawn up. My opinion is we won't find out this year, but with another years maturity he will appreciate the extra stamina test 3 miles has to offer. He is still only 7 going on 8.

Pacha Du Polder - Thought to be an improver this season

Other Horses Include:
Impressive 2010 Aintree Festival winner Tataniano reappears at Chepstow in a fortnight to contest the race he won last year, whilst Harry The Viking is being aimed at Ascot's £100,000 Handicap Chase on the 3rd November. Edgardo Sol's plans are up in the air after the manner of his victory at Aintree last year has risen his handicap mark to 157. Pacha Du Polder is being considered for the Old Roan at Aintree later this month, Nicholls thinks he could be a massive impover this season!

Any questions or comments? Contact me through Twitter: @JoshRWDown