Peter perfect as Nicholls eyes big-race double
PAuL NICHOLLS may be enjoying sunnier climes, courtesy of his traditional January break, but the multiple Champion trainer still appears to hold a strong hand in today’s feature handicaps.
The ditcheat handler saddles two in the Coral Lanzarote Hurdle with OUTLAW PETER (Kempton, nap, 2.40) and the red risk representing the yard just minutes before THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE (Warwick, nb, 3.00) bids to land the Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase.
In Outlaw Peter, Nicholls has an ideal candidate for prestigious handicap hurdle honours and his seven- year- old looks more a complete article this year judged on his display in Graded company at Chepstow and last time at Exeter, where he hammered the 115-rated Sporting Ace by 19 lengths.
The handicapper apportioned the selection a mark of 130 following that rout and there may be a little leniency in that decision, as Outlaw Peter recorded a career best that day and remains on the upgrade according to his handler.
He enjoyed a saunter around Kempton in May following a wind operation and that experience of the track should stand him in good stead this afternoon.
Although the majority of Outlaw Peter’s recent form is on good ground, he ran well in an Irish bumper when chasing home the ill-fated Three Stripe Life on heavy ground, so any further easing of conditions at the Sunbury venue should not affect his chance.
Nicholls also has powerful claims in some of Warwick’s marquee events of the season, not least with last season’s Hampton Novices’ Chase hero Three under thru five.
The eight-year- old reached only the first fence in the Coral Trophy at Newbury before unseating Adrian Heskin, who had previously enjoyed a much more fruitful afternoon aboard the selection at Warwick last January.
The Shantou gelding found a lovely rhythm that day to gallop his rivals into submission in the Hampton and his run style and stamina should be suited to today’s assignment.
Given that premature Newbury exit, Three under thru five should be fresher than most of his adversaries and, although critics will point at the weight he carries, he has more upside than many of his rivals.
If there is to be a mini-shock, then Volcano could be the one to provide it. The Sheila Lewis-trained gelding is unbeaten in four starts at the Midlands track, and might run a better race than expected for a horse 10lb out of the handicap.
CONTINENTAL Europe will take a 3-2 lead over Britain and Ireland into the second day of the inaugural golf Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi.
On a tricky opening day of fourballs, Tommy Fleetwood’s side trailed in four of the five matches, before escaping with only a narrow deficit going into day two.
‘I think in the end, to get out of that session 3-2 we’ll definitely go back to our team rooms feeling the better,’ said Fleetwood.
Former champion Judd Trump came from behind to beat Barry Hawkins 6-5 and reach the semi-finals of snooker’s masters at Alexandra Palace yesterday.
The pair shared a century apiece and had traded frames at 4-4, Hawkins took the next but Trump’s ton forced a decider before he claimed the victory. A delighted Trump said: ‘I needed to go down with a bit of pressure to come alive. Both games I have felt so bad and nervous beforehand. I seemed to relax, get control and felt my best towards the end.’