NICHOLLS’ STAR RISING AGAIN
PAUL NICHOLLS was reminded of the greatest two-mile chaser of his stellar career as Politologue came of age at Sandown Park yesterday. Nicholls has captured the Queen Mother Champion Chase five times, but the 19-length demolition job by Master Minded at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival – he followed up 12 months later – stands out. And, after watching owner John Hales’ 7-2 shot Politologue floor 8-13 favourite Fox Norton by half a length to give him a 10th triumph in the Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, the 10-time champion trainer purred: “He reminded me of Master Minded.
“I’m not saying he’s as good as Master Minded – anywhere near yet – but he’s got the same attributes.
“He’s a big scopey horse – lots of speed and jumps well – he’s got a lot of class. And he’s six, so he’s going to get better.”
By his own admission, Nicholls has struggled to replace greats Kauto Star, Denman, Big Buck’s and Master Minded, who netted so many top prizes for his Ditcheat stable.
“When they’ve gone, you’re looking for the next ones,” he added: “You’ve just got to rebuild and get going again. He’s a good one – it’s great to be back there again with a horse like this – and we’ve got some smart novices for the future next year.
“John Hales always wanted him to be a Gold Cup horse – that was why we bought him, so we tried to make him a three-miler – but he won’t be doing that,” concluded Nicholls, who will now prepare the grey for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 20 before a clash with Altior in the Champion Chase in March.
The victory was a second at the highest level for 19-year-old jockey Harry Cobden, who smiled: “He’s very slick, he spends no time in the air and he lands running. “It’s lovely when it goes right!” Fox Norton could now make a quick return to action in the threemile King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
“It’s a possibility,” said the runner-up’s trainer Colin Tizzard. “It’s quite tight, but we’ll think about it. I’m sure he’ll go up in trip.”
Blaklion was cut to 10-1fav for the Randox Health Grand National on April 14 after an impressive return to the famous fences in the Becher Chase at Aintree.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ eight-yearold, fourth in last season’s National, was gambled down to 7-4 for yesterday’s Becher – and the money never looked lost.
“Others will come out of the woodwork for the National, but he must have a very good chance,” said Twiston-Davies.