NICHOLLS GETS IN FROM THE COLD
BRITISH champion trainer Paul Nicholls appears to have put a rare quiet spell behind him and enjoyed watching three of his horses win at Doncaster from the beach in Barbados.
Nicholls is holidaying with owner John Hales as this is traditionally one of his quieter points of the season as his string undergoes their flu vaccinations.
The Ditcheat handler had a lowkey Christmas period but a couple of successes in recent days appear to have marked the end of his cold run.
Bouvreuil (7/2), Le Prezien (1/4 favourite), Baoulet Delaroque (15/8) all now have loftier targets in their sights after impressive displays and the way they won suggests there is nothing at all amiss with Nicholls’ string.
Bouvreuil had made his chasing debut in Grade One company behind Ar Mad and opened his account at the second attempt in the crownhotel-bawtry.com Novices’ Chase.
Vyta Du Roc was sent off the odds-on favourite but he found the concession of 11lb to the five-yearold just too much.
Winning rider Sam Twiston-Davies said: ‘He jumped well and quickened nicely, but he needs to lean to settle better. I think something like the Lightning Chase back here over two miles might suit as he’s not short of pace.’
Nicholls added: ‘It was very nice to see him do that. We’ll take it one step at a time. We’ll find another race and the race back at Doncaster might be for him.’
Nicholls and Twiston-Davies doubled up in effortless fashion when La Prezien justified cramped odds in the Premier Quality Foods ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Having chased home Yanworth on his seasonal debut and won at Ludlow last time out, connections had considered running him in the Grade One Tolworth last weekend but opted for the easier option and he came home unchallenged by 19 lengths.
‘His jumping was a bit sticky last time so we wanted to give him some confidence,’ said Twiston-Davies.
‘The boss can stay on holiday a bit longer now!’
Anthony Bromley, racing manager for the Million In Mind syndicate, who own the winner, said: ‘The last five runners for the club have all won now. Paul was keen to run in the Tolworth, but I just felt Yorkhill and O O Seven would be tough to beat and this was just what the doctor ordered. He’ll have to go into graded class now.’
Baoulet Delaroque completed the treble in the first division of the 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Maiden Hurdle beating Divine Spear.
Bromley, who also manages for Potensis Bloodstock, said: ‘Paul has just text me from the West Indies and told me to give him an entry in the Betfair Hurdle.’
Twiston-Davies added: ‘Paul said before he went away he was totally happy with the horses and this just proves there’s nothing wrong.’