LAST weekend we had a four-timer across the weekend, which has has taken this season’s tally to 130 compared to last season’s 123.

The enigmatic Just A Par put his best foot forward to score in great style in Newbury and the next stop is Aintree as far as he is concerned. While at Huntingdon, Antartica De Thaix continued her improvement as a chaser when bolting up and she has her sights set on some bigger prizes in the spring.

I spent my weekend at Kelso with Lucy. We took two runners for their flagship Premier Chase meeting. Capitaine was turned out quickly but unfortunately he was unable to cope with the very heavy going and was pulled-up. Likewise, the ground wasn’t ideal for Le Mercurey but he jumped superbly and he ran with great credit on unsuitable ground to finish third.

That’s his final start before a possible tilt at Aintree’s showpiece and he could be very attractive off 151 on good ground. But again, as is always the case, the team at Kelso gave us a very warm welcome and we can’t thank them enough for their hospitality.

CHELTENHAM FEVER

It is Cheltenham time now and I thought I would give a quick run through on our festival team.

Movewiththetimes unfortunately misses the Supreme Novices’.

Next up for us is the Ultima Handicap Chase and we could saddle two in this. Last year’s festival winner Ibis Du Rheu comes here in good shape. He has had three progressive runs over fences, and he loves the hustle and bustle of a big field. He is a sound jumper and has a nice racing weight of 10st 10lbs.

The other one of note in this is Caid Du Berlais. He travelled very strongly in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster before failing to get the trip on very soft ground. If the ground was on the good side, he would have a massive chance and if it was soft ground he would probably wait until Thursday.

Lifeboat Mona will be a sole representative in the OLBG Mares’ Race. She has been a star for the yard over the years and has never let us down. She has a bit to find with some of the top mares in the race but she has a great attitude and I think is a massive each-way price.

In the four-mile amateur riders’ chase we will run Arpege D’Alene. He will be ridden by Will Biddick. He has some very good course form and is a strong stayer. He is a bit quirky but has plenty of ability on a good day.

The day rounds off with Romain De Senam in the last. He comes here with a very similar profile to last year’s narrow runner-up Bouvreuil. He has some very smart form this season with a second to the Grade 1 winner Top Notch and this race has been the plan for quite some time. I would like to think he will be bang there and is one of our leading hopes.

QUIET START

Day two is looking quiet but we have a few nice handicap chances. The Coral Cup sees the classy Modus and Old Guard renew rivalry. Both met in the Lanzarote Hurdle where Modus ran out a smooth winner. It was his first try at the trip but he settled beautifully that day and scored easily. He has a lot of class. Old Guard was a revelation last season but didn’t take to chasing early this season. He had a couple of hurdle runs under his belt now and comes here off a very attractive looking mark of 150.

The Fred Winter is a race which Paul has a great record in having had the 1-2 the past two years. Dolos brings good form into the race having been placed at Grade 1 level, while Dreamcatching sauntered to success at Wincanton.

He was installed as ante-post favourite and was given the same mark as last year’s winner, 131, which must give him a great chance.

Thursday kicks off with the classy Politologue. It hasn’t been any secret the high regard in which Paul and Sammy hold this horse. He has won three from four this season having been beaten at Haydock in January. He is a high-class horse, a very sound jumper and he won’t be far away.

The Pertemps Final is next up and again we could saddle two, El Bandit and Mr Mix. El Bandit is a horse I have always loved and, apart from one blip on soft ground at Newbury, he would be coming here unbeaten this season. He is six from his last seven runs, including a Grade 2.

He won his qualifier for the race up in Musselburgh, showing great guts to give nearly 2st to the runner up. I think he has a massive shout in this race. Mr Mix tried chasing last time but unseated two out with the race at his mercy. He won a qualifier in Wincanton and he isn’t without a big chance. He is a strong stayer and has good experience in big handicaps.

Our next runner is likely to be the revitalised Zarkandar in the Stayers’ Hurdle. He has to take on one of the meetings bankers in Unowhatimeanharry but he showed he still has all his class when romping home at Haydock last time. He has great chance and he never knows how to run a bad race.

In the StablePlate Handicap Chase, Art Mauresque and Bouvreil head our entries although I mentioned earlier that Caid Du Berlais could go here depending on ground. Both the other two have been kept fresh this season. Bouvreuil has some great course and festival form having been runner-up at the last two festivals and my preference would be to make him the pick of ours of a nice weight of 10st 9lb.

Coillte Lass will run in the Grade 1 mares’ novice. She ran a blinder the last day behind Vroum Vroum Mag and a reproduction of that run will see her run a huge race. She will be a first runner for the newly-formed Ditcheat thoroughbred syndicate and she will give the members a great day out.

Unioniste has been a great servant and he will give his new owner, David Maxwell, a ride in the Kim Muir. He is a horse who has some high-class form and is getting some relief from the handicapper. He is sure to give David a good fun ride.

GOLD CUP

Gold Cup day kicks off with the Triumph Hurdle but sadly we don’t have a runner so we have to wait until the County Hurdle. Diego Du Charmil, a winner at last year’s festival, will fly the flag for us. He won very nicely at Musselbugh. He loves being fresh and loves good ground and if he gets those conditions he will run a big a race.

Saphir Du Rheu will be our sole runner in the Gold Cup. He has a lot to find to get competitive but he is getting his act together. He hopefully will run a good race and he could well be Aintree-bound after.

We have two runners in the Foxhunters. The high-class Wonderful Charm will be ridden by Katie Walsh. He has cantered round in two races this season and comes here with his confidence sky high and is sure to run a big race. Pacha Du Polder is the mount of Bryony Frost. He won his seasonal reappearance at Bangor and will give Bryony the ride of her life.

Next up is the conditional jockeys’ race and man of the moment Stan Sheppard is likely to reunite with Tommy Silver in this. He had been disappointing early in the season but got back on track the last day at Taunton under a good ride. He has a good chance in what looks as competitive a race as you will get.

The curtain falls with the Grand Annual and the former champion chaser Dodging Bullets runs in this. He has been given a nice weight in 10st 11lb and wasn’t far behind Fox Norton at Newbury to suggest that he can be very competitive in this at a big price. It would be great to see him bounce back and get back into the Cheltenham winners’ enclosure. Our other runner is likely to be the novice Le Prezien. He is a high-class horse and brings some very good novice form to the table. He won over the Old Course in November and I think he has a great chance.

As always with the Cheltenham Festival, it’s never easy. We might lack for some of the big names like of yesteryear but we still have some great chances and three for me for the week are Movewiththetimes, Romain De Senam and Le Prezien.

For more information on the team please check out Paul’s Betfair blog at https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/.