NICHOLLS TO SHOW CLASSE

Copain De Classe is well worth another chance in the 188bet.co.uk Novices’ Hurdle at Wincanton tomorrow.

Paul Nicholls’ five-yearold looked a horse of some potential when an easy winner from a subsequent scorer at Chepstow in November.

Off the track until February, Nicholls probably expected him to be able to handle very soft ground as he was recruited from France.

However, the ground was especially testing at Wincanton when he last ran and after travelling smoothly he completely fell in a hole.

It is not hard to forgive a young horse one bad run in such conditions and on a much sounder surface Copain De Classe can get his career back on track in the opener.

Nicholls should double up with Antartica De Thaix in the 188Bet Novices’ Chase.

Her easy victory over the smart Desert Queen last time out marked her down as one of the most talented mares on this side of the Irish Sea.

Nicholls will be targeting these smallfield races in his battle with Nicky Henderson to be champion trainer.

Neil Mulholland’s Doing Fine, last seen finishing a fine second to Rocky Creek in the London National, can take the extended three-mile Fortress Home Insurance Handicap Chase.

Harry Fry’s Sir Ivan looks the answer in a decent little Fall er Refunds At 188bet NOvices’ Chase at Hereford.

Somehow, winner of the Cheshire Oaks last spring, is the one to follow in the Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes as Irish Flat racing on the turf returns at Naas.