PAUL Nicholls believes he and other British trainers are “in a better place than we’ve been for the last few years” as they bid to challenge Ireland’s dominance at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Ditcheat-based handler, who has 50 Festival winners to his name, including four Gold Cups and six Champion Chases, is pleased with his squad for next month’s event, spearheaded by Grade 1-winning novice hurdler No Drama This End.
Ireland won the Prestbury Cup by a huge 20-8 margin last year, but Nicholls believes the likes of Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton and Ben Pauling can help narrow the gap 12 months later. Speaking at a media event organised by The Jockey Club, he said: “Nicky has got a good team of horses and I’ve got some nice chances and there’s all those good young trainers that have probably worked for me or for Nicky that are doing really well. So, I think we’re in a better place than we’ve been for the last few years and, looking at the betting, hopefully we’ve got a few good chances.
“I think things are going to be totally different and probably over the next few years. But you know what Willie (Mullins) is like - he turns up with a huge team and they’re all ready to fire for Cheltenham.”
Nicholls ran through his main Cheltenham Festival chances on Tuesday.
Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
He went to Lambourn last week and did a gallop with Regent’s Stroll, who didn’t need to come today, but No Drama This End takes plenty of work.
You can see he’s a big, strong, thick-set horse. It did cross my mind to go to Ascot two weeks ago, because it was a National Hunt Novices’ hurdle, and he’d only got one penalty, but if something had gone wrong, it’s not worth it.
We just elected to stick to the plan and go and have a nice gallop last week, and then come here today. He had three quick runs. He actually did quite well really to do Cheltenham and then it was an afterthought to go for the Sandown race, but he had to really, and then again quickly around at Newbury. So, he got over those quickly and then had a nice break. We’ve got stuck into him again now, so he’s nice and fit and fresh.
I did actually say earlier this season, if one day we got a horse that might compare with Denman, it’s him. And I can only dream that, but I wasn’t comparing him at that particular time. But he’s the same sort of model - doesn’t show masses at home, workmanlike and big and strong.
Done the talking
He’s done the talking on the track. As I said earlier, he’s won two Grade 2s and a Grade 1. Where his ceiling of ability is, you’d never know at home. It’s what he does on the track and he’ll progress over the next few years.
He’s just so laidback, he’d fall asleep whatever speed you were going and then you pick him up and he’s there. They don’t go slow in Cheltenham races, but Harry (Cobden, jockey) proved the last day he made all the running on him and he quickened up really nicely. He wouldn’t really want to make the running, but he can ride him accordingly.
Denman got beat because it was basically a slow run race and he got done for a little bit of toe from turning in. But more often than not, these Cheltenham races nowadays are so competitive that you’ve got to stay. But that’s down to Cobby (Harry Cobden). He knows him better than anybody.
William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
I think we will supplement for the Champion Hurdle. I’ve got to talk to Colm (Donlan, owner) on that. We’ve got the luxury that we can wait until six days beforehand and see what’s happening.
I’d say the first day, the ground’s never going to be any slower than faster than good to soft. And if it’s like that, I’d say we’ve got nothing to lose. He’s definitely improving rapidly.
He’s now rated 151 and if it is an open race, why not give it a go? It’d be his last run before he goes chasing, so I’m not convinced about carrying 12st again in the County Hurdle or something like that. And I can just see he’s a massive improver so we’ll probably give it a go.
He definitely improved from when he won the Gerry Fielden to the next day. I didn’t expect him to win like that the other day at Newbury and he’s improved since then. And this morning’s gallop - he’d never worked like that last year. He was backward and mentally backward, but he’s just the finished article now. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran very well.
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
He very nearly won a Grade 1 last year. I didn’t want to run him again after Cheltenham (on New Year’s Day). He had three quick runs. I wanted to get some experience into him and see how he’d cope with Cheltenham. There were a lot of people there that day. He’s getting mentally much better and worked great last week. 145 is quite a nice mark for him.
Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase
Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Quebecois wouldn’t be without a chance if it wasn’t too soft. He wouldn’t want three miles of it soft. The Ultima has always been Max’s (McNeill, owner) aim and that’s why we ran him last week.
I only had the option of running him over two miles and it was to get the fourth run to be able to be qualified. He wouldn’t want soft ground over a trip. He’s got the Plate, which he’s in, and he’s also in the Jack Richards.
HARRY Derham admits he is “still learning” about how to prepare for the Cheltenham Festival as he bids to win his first race at the March Festival. Previously assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls, Derham only started training on his own in late 2022, but goes to Cheltenham next month with some live chances. “I’m obviously learning about Cheltenham preparation but the horses have been running really well all season,” he said on Tuesday.
“I’m very aware that I’m going to the Festival with outside each-way chances, but the reality of getting started is that you still want to be there and competing. I’m looking forward to it.
“I am still three years into my career, but to have a nice team of horses going there, I’m pleased with that.” Derham assessed his chances.
Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
There is no point making excuses - he got beat at Musselburgh. Maybe I was trying to get too clever running him and that’s probably the wrong thing to do.
But I wanted to get three runs into him, so we’ve done that now. As I say, it’s a very, very competitive Supreme, but I thought he’s my Supreme horse all season, so that’s where he’s going.
He’s been my best novice all season, and the idea is that you run your best novice in that race, and that’s what I’m doing. I don’t want to say he’s flying under the radar, because he’s shown what he can do, but he’s a fair old price. It’s irrelevant to me what price he is, really. He’s going to go there and have a go, and if he runs like he did at Cheltenham, well, he’s a lively outsider.
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
On ratings, she’s probably a little bit below what is required to win that race. Normally a 140-rated horse wins the mares’ novices’ hurdle, so she’s got a bit to find, but she’s a good mare. Her owners want to go to the Festival and I completely see why. She’s got a chance in the mares’ novices. If they went fast and it turned into a staying race, which it generally does in that race, then she’s a got chance.
The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
We are running in the Cup Handicap Hurdle, as long as he gets in. He’s been a fabulous old horse for us. His owners were keen to run him at the Festival at some stage in his career, and we’ve just kept him fresh for it.
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
He’s a really tough, honest, genuine horse. He’s kept going. I think he’s gone up a stone since we’ve had him this year. He’s one of those horses that if he got jumping down the straight the first time, got on the front end, he might outrun his odds.
JCB Triumph Hurdle
He deserves to run in the Triumph. We know that he’s not going to win the Triumph, that’s why we ran him in the Adonis to pick up some more prize money. He’s been brilliant and he’ll probably run a competitive race.
It wouldn’t come as a big surprise if he ended up finishing a good fourth or fifth. He’s a good, tough juvenile. He deserves to be there, so he’s going to be there.