Western Daily Press (Saturday)
NICHOLLS HOPES FOR WINNING FEELING
Somerset-based Paul Nicholls is a ten-time champion trainer, but he certainly has a fondness for years ending in nine. Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, which begins on Tuesday, he casts his mind back to 1999 and 2009 with Graham Clark
WHEN Paul Nicholls requires inspiration, a quick glance back at a picture from the 1999 Cheltenham Festival provides a permanent reminder as to why he finds himself where he is today.
At the time, the Ditcheat handler was without a winner in his previous visits to the meeting – but he would enjoy what was to be a career-changing three days, setting him on the path to becoming one of the most feared and respected trainers of his generation.
While the victories of Flagship Uberalles in the Arkle and Call Equiname in the Queen Mother are fondly remembered, it is the success of See More Business in the Gold Cup from which Nicholls derives the greatest pleasure.
For 12 months earlier, See More Business dramatically exited the race, carried out when the Martin Pipe-trained Cyborgo was being pulled up after suffering what turned out to be a pelvic injury, something that at the time Nicholls was unaware of.
Nicholls said: “The 1998 Gold Cup was a bit of a fraught day. See More Business had good form and we really fancied him.
“I was looking for that breakthrough winner and he got carried out and the dream was all over. Paul Barber (owner) had dreamt that week something like that would happen.
“I was going up the chute and Martin came scuttling by with what I thought was a grin on his face and that wound me up even more. I did have a few cross words, but that is history and we have all grown up and apologised.
“The 1999 Festival was an amazing week. Flagship Uberalles won the Arkle, then Call Equiname won the Queen Mother on the Wednesday and I thought ‘this is amazing’. Then on the Thursday See More Business won the Gold Cup.
“It meant an awful lot winning the Gold Cup with See More Business, given he was owned by my landlord (Barber) and the reason we are all here is because of Paul’s enthusiasm for jumps racing.
“I’ve got a picture in my house, an oil painting, of their three heads and I look at it once a week. I know I wouldn’t be here talking to you now if it hadn’t been for those three.
“Once I had those three winners, everything took off. The phone was ringing and everyone wanted to have horses with me.”
This year represents another significant milestone, with it being 10 years since the magnificent Kauto Star gave Nicholls his fourth – and most recent – Gold Cup triumph, creating history in reclaiming the race he won in 2007 when exacting revenge on his stablemate Denman.
Nicholls said: “That was an amazing day when Kauto Star came back to win the Gold Cup.
“If it hadn’t been for Denman he would have won three Gold Cups, but ‘if ’ is a big word. It was never easy juggling both horses and it was a pressure most people don’t realise.
“Kauto was in better form that season and Denman had his problems after winning the Gold Cup. Kauto put the whole thing to bed and really stamped his authority on the race. He was very impressive second time
There is no feeling like it in the world and there is no way to describe it to anyone – what it feels like walking into that winner’s enclosure with a Gold Cup winner. There is is something magical about it and when you do it once you want to keep on doing it PAUL NICHOLLS
round. There is no feeling like it in the world and there is no way to describe it to anyone – what it feels like walking into that winner’s enclosure with a Gold Cup winner.
“There is is something magical about it and when you do it once you want to keep on doing it.”
With his desire to win the race he values above all else as strong as ever, Nicholls – who recently saddled his 3,000th career winner – has, in Clan Des Obeaux and potentially Frodon, two live chances of a recordequalling fifth Gold Cup.
Nicholls said: “If I win five it would equal the record and that would be awesome. You don’t dream about things like that, you just hope it can happen.
“I think we have got two fair chances. I’m not saying Frodon will beat Clan, but he will run a good race if he lines up in it.
“Clan was the same at Ascot as he was at Haydock before Kempton,
and look at that improvement. That is what I want to achieve again, as his one target is the Gold Cup.
“The King George was the best there has been for years and when Clan won some said it was a fluke. He raised his game and won well and the more I look back, the more I think it was a great performance.
“He came out of the race at Ascot well and we are now just putting the finishing touches to him. He jumped well and travelled well and sprinted away from the last. You couldn’t have asked for a better prep race.
“Frodon could take his chance and he is rated 169 now. He probably didn’t run to 169 the other day, but he didn’t need to. He has got pace; whether he has got the class we will see, but he is an improving horse. If he won the Gold Cup you could look back at his form and it would tell you that he was one waiting to happen.”