Anyone worried about the Paul Nicholls string??

worrying stuff when they are getting beaten like they have been stront...silvi well backed and kauto went out like a light...hold fast didn't run a yard as did cedre bleu to name a few...

I agree RC. Ruby must have believed Kauto Stone was going to run the finish out of them, though he possibly tugged his way to the front. SC was most disappointing after jumping beautifully for the first 2+ miles. The Nicholls yard goes through spells like this though - admittedly usually in January - and they usually get the right for March/April.

Harry - bad runs in February do not worry me for the Festival from that yard. As I say, they frequently have a bad mid-Winter.

I agree Strontium, usually around turn of the yr / Jan. If his horses are not right in March, I think it would be the first time in 15 yrs virtually. I always think you can set your watch by Ditcheat so I am not in least concerned - at this stage !

I'd still be interested in Conti come Festival time - Kauto Stone is trickier 'cos we know less about him - really liked his effort in Tingle Creek - should not be overlooked that Riverside Theatre's performance was so good that his owner's hair has grown back.

the going was much softer at Ascot today than the official going description

going by times it was soft, whether that affected anything I couldn't say

Rease - shocking.

I suspect he will (as he has intimated before I think) save Silviniaco for the race on Friday at Liverpool or the Manifesto.

yes, RC - forgot he'd said that.

A lot of his horses including the good ones are travelling well into races before they hot up & then tailing off. Have to say I'm a bit concerned about the yard. I don't mind trainers not winning if there horses are a touch under par but some of his better horses are just going out like a light on the run in. Zarkandar won yesterday but he really was chucked in and was possibly fortunate that Darlan came down. Something not quite right.

Stront I hear you...but when top yards put the money down on one (silvi) and they go out like a light when others are under performing that worries me and really silvi had every right to win that race today...they went one hell of a gallop in the feltham and he stayed well so that couldn't be used as an excuse...

Rease -

We've heard this kind of thing with Nicholls in the past and before you know it he has a 5-timer on a Saturday and then telling the press not to listen to the ''doubters''.

You only need to worry if your backing his horses anyway.

If Nicholls string aren't running that well it makes Zarkandar's win yesterday all the more credible imo

FFT, that would be true.

Reflecting on this it's a bit of a mixed bag - What a Friend ran to form and Neptune Collonges ran a stormer yesterday.

Zarkandar wouldn't of won if the mcmanus horses hadn't got in each others way lets get that straight...

R Carver
18 Feb 12 20:25
Joined:
19 Nov 09
| Topic/replies: 1,581 | Blogger: R Carver's blog
I checked this out before. My figures could be wrong but -

No runners between Jan 31st and Newbury. Since then 31 runners and only Zarkander emerging  in front(a decent effort i thought on debut, though some argue it is the least he should have done given how well in he appeared to be) with 7 seconds.

I guess the cold snap may have hindered preparations. I would not be too worried as he always has them sweet as a nut for March but I suspect he will be a little concerned.




Definitely I'd be worried if If I had any vouchers look sick to me...

i wouldnt be concerned ,imo its the same every year after hes given them a flu jab and backs off them

I always thought they had the flu jab at the start of january tweed??

HArry I think you are right - this patch usually happens around the turn of the yr into Jan. I suspect the effects of that plus the cold snap maybe? Not sure. This week will be interesting.

yes indeed R.Carver it will...maybe I'm being a tad harsh but do not like it when horses are not finishing there races and are hitting the wall...this sends alarm bells ringing...

the jury is now out and if I were one of the ten?? I'd be saying he is guilty and take him down

Have you told Neptune Collonges he wasn't finishing well?

Good point stront and when a trainer has a big string he is bound to have some that still run well...stoutes horses on the flat last year weren't well but still some were running ok...like I say the jury has gone out to confer and have lots of tea and biscuits plus the usual home made sandwiches

just looked his results for the last fortnight and it don't make pretty reading

not that it matters to me as I won't be backing many of his runners if at all with the possible exception of Rock on Ruby in the Champion

but it would concern me if I had a bunch of ante post tickets

It's actually the last 2 days Judo as they are the only runners he has had in the last fortnight. He's had 10 placed horses out of 31 runners including 7 seconds, so arguably that's a bit unlucky. However approximatey 10 of them look to have run stinkers.

blimey! there were a load of stinkers in there

Stinkers indeed - interesting judo I quite like this rock on ruby myself - just wish he was more fluent at his hurdles...have had a few english pounds ew on him in the without market just think the track at kempton wasn't his bag...am also hoping he ends up nicholls second string and he may end up a big price on the day for the champion...

I know he had the Betfair race earmarked for Zarkandar but that would have been ideal prep for ROR who as you say needs to brush up his jumping - although ROR would have wanted a furious gallop not the farce that the race turned out to be

Have a look at Kauto Stone's twitter feed - very funny.

yes agreed but nicholls said after kmpton he wanted to keep him fresh for cheltenham...I can see him running a massive race back on a track he likes...could be a big price too...

yes and you might get even bigger in running if they go a million miles an hour and he is pushed along at the back 4 out... might hit 100 even... before producing a big effort up the hill when the price then goes 50....30....15...7.... then who knows?

Nicholls said on Friday he intends to run four in Champion Hurdle - ROR,CH,Brampour and Zarkandar. He also said that those looking after ROR would be pleased with Zarkandar's win - got the impression stable is quite sweet on him.

who's gonna ride all these horses?

zarkandar - jacob
brampour - probably derham?

will he recall some of the jockeys he's sent packing in the past, sam thomas to name one. unless it cuts up and there may be a few jockeys without a ride in the race.

ruby will be on hurricane, ap on binocular.

Think l read somewhere that Noel Fehily rides Rock On Ruby in the Champion.

Coughing in the yard. media day cancelled wednesday. will they be right for cheltenham?

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls has cancelled his Cheltenham Festival media day on Wednesday and reported several horses in his yard to have coughed.

Nicholls, whose 16 runners on Saturday were all beaten, tweeted on Moneday morning: "Unfortunately we've had to cancel the Chelt media day on Wed. After a moderate weekend some horses have a cough. 1st priority now is to the horses and their owners."

Expanding in his Betfair blog, Nicholls added: "It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend with only one winner from 31 [Zarkandar at Newbury on Friday]. We have several horses coughing and not running to their form.

"In these circumstances we do not feel it is appropriate to invite the media on Wednesday. I'm sure everyone agrees my horses and owners must come first at this stage."

Mr Henderson must have a smile on his face lol.

And Mr Mullins

Very grim news, though no great surprise. It might make some of my antepost bets on other horses look healthier but it will be a massive loss if his horses can't run, especially Big Bucks and Kauto Star.

Makes Zarkandars effort all the more meritorious.

Bad for the Festival though. Surely everyone wants to see the best horses running their best?

Do you guys actually think there's a legitimate chance that some of his horses won't make the Festival? How long does it take a horse to recover from a cough? Not being sarcastic btw, just interested and concerned.

I agree about the Zarkandar point though, the fact that he still managed to win despite that, and having had the race not run to suit makes him more impressive.

dt - At this stage they'll probably make it, but they'll be missing work and Nicholls generally leaves a bit to work on at this time of year.

Given the form of the rest of the stable, it makes the runs of Zarkander and Neptune Collonges look especially good, but also What a Friend.

At least for his Gold Cup horses we'll know what sort of form the stable is in. More worrying if you're on one of his for the Champion Hurdle etc.

I see Oscar Whisky has contracted a little today

If they need antibiotics then they need be out of the horses system before they can run - see Binocular last year. The other worry may be that they could have spread the infection at the racecourse stables to other yards?

The only one of his that I might want to win is Big Bucks (but only if the other 3 reigning champs also win).

As long as they get on top of it very quickly, do not envisage too much of a problem for those who have not run recently.

However for those who have run, including Zarkandar, it may have a more negative effect if they were sick. Yes it may show Zarkandar's performance in a better light, but even less inclined to bet it on this news

most likely viral rather than bacterial so antibiotics are pointless

of a horse has this cough now,whats the chances of it turning up at the festival fit to run??
not an expert on this myself

By the way, excellent OP Harry - good (if sad) call.

I'd say just keep a very close eye on the betfair markets as regards his runners, if they stay somewhat stagnant then all is ok, but if there is any drift, get worried in my very honest opinion, there really is not a lot to worry over at this stage cos his horses are not drifting, you would imagine a small drift of say a couple of points in light of news of this nature but nothing has really!

Cheers stront - well awful stuff with the festival just round the corner...all the doubles and trebles going on big bucks and kauto...desperate shame because like you say no one wants to see the champ trainer not have runners at the meeting...not big on viruses but can't imagine they will be able to work the horses others will know more???

Lets not get carried away with this I think it's unlikely every horse in the stable is ill. The likes of Zarkandar, Neptune Collonges, What A Friend etc. are probably fine after running well. There is also the fact that the stables horses are pretty well spread out at Ditcheat and the likes of Rock On Ruby are miles away down at Richard Barbers. Hopefully they can diagnose the horses that have the virus, separate them from the others and get them back. Will they be ready for Cheltenham? How long is a piece of string? We have all had a cold for 24 hours or the flu that can linger for a week or two. It will depend on the strain of the virus and the individual horse like any other animal. I think if it's just a cough hopefully they can sort it out but the concern has to be missing crucial work before the festival.

Let's not forget the now very much back in form Alan King. He had a problem in his yard for how long? I would say years and he must now finally be delighted that his horses are back in flying form. I hope Paul's problem is minimal & like I say with the horses spread out it's unlikely to be a problem for them all.

Fair comments masterminded but it isn't good whichever way you cut it...it can take weeks - months to get over these sort of viruses and especially in a big yard...the problem is he ran some very high profile horses saturday silvi and kauto and they both hit the wall...I would be very concerned myself because if it is deep through the yard he won't be able to work them...I remember jonjo a few years ago took him 3 years to get it out the yard...very worrying stuff and now punting his horses are going to be very hit and miss I'd say...panic button stuff...

Don't know if you have read his blog yet but believe it or not the only one he mentions that is ill is Zark? Kauto & Silvi fine?

KS and SC ran against horses from other yards,trainers of those i imagine could be a tad concerned.

Zark was up against quite a few.

I haven't masterminded but if that is the case I'd be even more concerned...because for me a true sign of a virus that is bad is when horses travel and hit the wall which is exactly what happened to silvi and kauto...because that tells me they don't know what is wrong with them...

Awful stuff for nicholls, owners, punters and fans. Fingers crossed they get rid quick time

Great spot Harry. I've also noticed you've picked up on other things too, like... Feeling MENORAH needs head gear  Thinking CASH AND GO should be given more time and that Henderson has done a poor job trying to educate SPRINTER SACRE
so would I be right in thinking you used to be a trainer or head lad yourself?

Cedre Bleu another one who did it & Rolling Aces at Wincanton. They come there travelling well but are not seeing out their races which is one of the strengths of PN's horses in general. Agree I think he would have been happier if he did find something wrong with them.

Paul Nicholls is one of the most open and honest trainers around and in his betfair piece he said they might miss a few days work and then get back to it. I don't think he seemed overly concerned yet.
   Massive over reaction if you ask me.

nicholls has runners at taunton tomorrow and I will be paying attention - the one in the novice hurdle should give Urb de Sivola on the ratings so let's see

no never been a trainer...but like picking the bones out of things lets say, when valid...don't ever remember saying hendo had done a poor job with sprinter though...

yes master and hold fast never picked a leg up either, all the hallmarks of sick horses...would love to know which ones have been shipped out...

I wouldn't call it a massive over reaction crescent when he hasn't had a winner for 20 days apart from the lucky zarkander and a large amount of them running like drains and with the biggest jumping showpiece 3 weeks away...how anyone cannot be concerned defies logic imo...

This is worth a read:

http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/ante-post-plans/paul-nicholls-coughs-go-as-quickly-as-they-come-200212.html

the thing is with ailments it's not about how quickly you get over the symptoms it's about how long it takes you to recover peak performance and it can take weeks for any athlete

"Buffy has run tests and washes on a lot of the horses and 80% haven't shown any negative signs."

big thanks for the link strontium. sounds like its 1) blown out of proportion and 2)well under control. great honesty from a great trainer who seems like he will do everything in his power to ensure that nothing is left to chance with ALL of his string.

good point judo...and thats where i'm at...

this paragraph i found interesting...

Silivinaico Conti and Kauto Stone both disappointed but neither have shown any signs of illness since. In fact Buffy has run tests and washes on a lot of the horses and 80% haven't shown any negative signs. I think Silvinaico needed the run more than I thought as he didn't find much after the second last and we'll go straight to Aintree with him. I'll expect huge improvement from him there. Whilst Kauto Stone was way to head strong and looks like he ruined his chances by the time he got to the business end of the race. The plan is still the Ryanair for him as we know he is better than Saturday's showing.

this made me laugh when they backed them both silly...make your own judgement but this wreaks of the plague to me....

heres a list of his fancied horses recently make your own mind up...


4/12 21L, Grandioso 11-2 15/8F     Daryl Jacob     102     0
Video     18Feb12     Asc 16GS C4NHF 3K     7/14 20+L, Sin Bin 11-6 13/2     Sam Thomas     106     -12
Video     18Feb12     Asc 16GS C4NHF 3K     2/14 7+L, Atlantic Roller 11-2 7/2     R Walsh     113     —
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 16Sft C1HG2 34K     2/5 6L, Celestial Halo 11-10 tb 7/4     Daryl Jacob     160     -4
Video     18Feb12     Asc 20GS C2HcH 24K     13/18 33L, Crack Away Jack 11-12 8/1     R Walsh     130     -25
Video     18Feb12     Hay 28Hy C1HcChG3 42K     2/14 ¼L, Neptune Collonges 11-5 8/1     Harry Derham     169     3
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 21Sft C3HcCh 7K     2/10 2¼L, Flaming Gorge 11-4 14/1     Daryl Jacob     133     6
Video     18Feb12     Asc 22GS C1ChG1 84K     7/8 71L, Kauto Stone 11-7 11/4     R Walsh     120     -46
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 21Sft C2HcCh 15K     UR/13 Frankie Figg 10-7 t 16/1     David Prichard     —     —
Video     18Feb12     Asc 24GS C1HcChL 22K     F/12 The Minack 11-10 7/2F     R Walsh     —     —
Video     18Feb12     Hay 24Hy C1NvHG2 12K     PU/9 Ruben Cotter 11-4 16/1     Ryan Mahon     —     —
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 22GS C3HcH 5K     14/15 108L, Indian Daudaie 11-5 b1 33/1     David Prichard     48     -84
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 22GS C3HcH 5K     12/15 61L, Rolling Aces 11-5 t 4/1     Daryl Jacob     83     -47
Video     18Feb12     Asc 24GS C1NvChG2 14K     4/7 10½L, Silviniaco Conti 11-7 11/10F     R Walsh     147     -17
Video     18Feb12     Asc 20GS C2NvH 10K     F/10 Saint Roque 11-0 7/2     R Walsh     —     —
Video     18Feb12     Wcn 16GS C4NvH 3K     4/13 24L, The Pretender 11-2 3/1     Daryl Jacob     96     -5
Video     17Feb12     Nby 17GS C1NHFL 5K     5/12 5¾L, Vrai Vert 11-2 7/1     R Walsh     130     10
Video     17Feb12     San 25Gd C3Ch 5K     2/10 ¼L, Aldertune 11-12 5/2     L-Bdr Jody Sole     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Fak 25GS C3HcCh 7K     3/10 14L, Carlicue 10-11 t 5/1     Ryan Mahon     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Nby 20GS C1NvChG1 14K     5/7 22L, Cedre Bleu 11-2 7/1     R Walsh     133     -7
Video     17Feb12     Nby 20GS C1NvChG1 14K     F/7 Pacha Du Polder 11-2 18/1     Daryl Jacob     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Fak 20GS C3NvH 5K     6/12 64L, Balding Banker 10-13 11/2     Ryan Mahon     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Nby 25GS C2HcH 5K     6/15 27L, Deireadh Re 10-13 5/1     Harry Derham     124     -16
Video     17Feb12     San 25Gd C3HcCh 6K     2/13 5L, Martys Mission 9-12 3/1F     Mr James Cowley     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Fak 25GS C4Ch 4K     2/6 13L, Like Minded 10-11 t 10/11F     Ryan Mahon     —     —
Video     17Feb12     Nby 17GS C1HcHG3 86K     15/20 26L, Empire Levant 10-4 12/1     Daryl Jacob     131     -10
Video     17Feb12     Nby 17GS C1HcHG3 86K     7/20 9½L, Brampour 11-5 33/1     Harry Derham     158     -7
Video     17Feb12     Nby 17GS C1HcHG3 86K     1/20 1¼L, Zarkandar 11-1 11/4F     R Walsh     156     2
Video     17Feb12     Nby 24GS C1ChG2 17K     5/5 19½L, Tidal Bay 11-0 5/1     R Walsh     154     -9
Video     17Feb12     Nby 24GS C1ChG2 17K     3/5 4¼L, What A Friend 11-0 b 9/1     Daryl Jacob     167     -5
Video     17Feb12     Nby 17GS C1ChG2 17K     5/6 37L, Hold Fast 11-4 6/1

as I said Harry I am not planning to back any of his anyway, with a possible exception of R on R, so I am not losing sleep... in fact, it might help get an edge

me to judo...and yes looking forward to the edge

those results aren't as bad as they 1st seem. ok a few of the shorter priced runners got well beaten but every stable has those but there is also quite a few long priced runners in there. i would just see that as a couple of bad days at the office.

correct me if im wrong.....isnt hold on julio been pulled out due to the horse coughing 2 weeks ago?
Has kingys yard suffered?hes in tremendous form....
my point is a yard which houses 100plus horses will always have a few coughing,anmd it need not affect the whole yard.

Lets hope all the best horses make it fit n well.

Hasn't stopped AF shortening by the best part of half a point on here in the last 24hrs.  Price will be the number 1 indicator in all of this.  No matter how tightly a yard is run word will get out and some staff will use info to their advantage.  If the prices are stable or better still contracting it's safe to assume that all is well with that particular horse.

correct me if im wrong.....isnt hold on julio been pulled out due to the horse coughing 2 weeks ago?

But isn't that the point. That horse isn't ready ro run on Saturday so three weeks later.....how long is it to the festival?

Is it not ready to run or are they protecting it's lovely looking mark for the Festival 3m handicap?

Mister Westsound
20 Feb 12 21:47
Joined:
16 Feb 03
| Topic/replies: 161 | Blogger: Mister Westsound's blog
Hasn't stopped AF shortening by the best part of half a point on here in the last 24hrs.  Price will be the number 1 indicator in all of this.  No matter how tightly a yard is run word will get out and some staff will use info to their advantage.  If the prices are stable or better still contracting it's safe to assume that all is well with that particular horse.




This is a cracking point and this is what punters will face when faced with a big yard with a bug in it...punters will still believe, as they did when hammering silvi conti into 11-10 saturday...they just don't know and neither will the yard until they run them...these are the perils that face punters in the coming weeks......pain????????????????????????????????????

quick question! honestly how many people on here would back a nicolls horse for Cheltenham right now?

quick question! honestly how many people on here would back a nicolls horse for Cheltenham right now?

I would Giggsy - Cheltenham is 3 weeks away, only a few of his horses have a cough and with the right treatment the horses may only be held up in their work for 3/4 days, it should have no impact whatsoever, the horses that aren't affected will be kept separate from those who have coughed.
Yards like Nicholls have the best medical advisers, treatment and facilities and they are well versed in dealing with incidents such as these.

i really hope it has no bering on how his horses run at cheltenham. it would be a shame if kauto, BB etc were not able to run to their best because of this.

I would but possibly purely on the basis that I've fancied Al Ferof all year and i'd almost rather stick to my guns and back him than allow this to change my mind and kick myself if he wins!!

Apart from BB he is the only one i was going to back. Was looking at Zarkandar in the w/o fly market but if i do have a fun bet in that then it would now be Binocular. The way he travelled, and more importantly jumped, has given me the odd second of doubt about the fly. Then I come to my senses again

Pretty upbeat statement from Nicholls this evening he dosen't seem to be overly worried

Anyone know what stable form was like this time last year!

I'd be more concerned about the form of Mullins stable @ the mo!!

Glenwood - Don't know willie has had 6 winners from his last 18 runners...not to bad I would say...still - paul can say what he likes he has had 1 winner from 30+ runners....which is a disaster which ever way you cut it...tomorrow will tell us more about the bug...

HC look a little closer

Mullins 15 beaten Favs in the last 10 days and some of those were odds on as well

does anyone know if promising anshan is going to the festival?

judorick Joined: 27 Nov 11
Replies: 2647 20 Feb 12 21:25
as I said Harry I am not planning to back any of his anyway, with a possible exception of R on R, so I am not losing sleep... in fact, it might help get an edge

harry callaghan Joined: 10 Nov 07
Replies: 614 20 Feb 12 21:32
me to judo...and yes looking forward to the edge

Lads,
Are you saying that you would be quiet happy to have the festival without some of the best horses around??

I mean Oscar Whisky is my biggest winner,but i dont want Big Bucks ill at home.

Not at all budd...but the game is all about punting and he will have plenty of fancied runners eating up lots of the market...which is seen as a gambling edge...hope this helps...

you must be delighted if your on oscar as you can back big bucks for a free bet if he turns up which seems likely with lots on here not worried about the stables well being...

Nothing on the lay side for What A Friend in Gold Cup, always a worrying sign.

okey doke Harry.

yeh,BB is going to be backed at some point mate.

And here starts the unknowing that you get with a trainer with sick horses...

eduardo sol opened 13-2 now 12's...punters and owners won't touch it and the games begin on everything the man runs...he may well win and punters will think there is no problems (wrongly)and all is ok, then comes the next one who runs down the field...the perils of punting on a trainer whose horses have the plague...

paul nicholls said on Tuesday that his disclosure the previous day that some of his string are coughing had been "a little bit blown out of proportion" and that the great majority of his horses remain unaffected. "We did a load more tests this morning," Nicholls said after saddling Dualla Lord to finish third in a novice hurdle here, "and I suspect a huge number will be absolutely fine, with maybe one or two we need to treat."

Nicholls has dominated National Hunt racing so thoroughly for the past seven years that any report of illness in his stable less than a month before the Festival would inevitably concern punters who have backed horses such as Kauto Star and Big Bucks's to win at Cheltenham in mid-March. If Nicholls is seriously concerned about his string's health, however, he was hiding it very well, as he insisted that the infection is having little impact on the pre-Festival training regimes of his horses.

"If you walked round the stables you wouldn't hear any coughing," Nicholls said. "It's probably the worst we've ever had it [at this time of year], but you always get a few little niggles, and having said that, we're only talking about 10 or 12 or so out of 120, and a lot of the others have run really well.

"I cancelled the press morning [which was scheduled for Wednesday] because it would have been the right thing to have done, and of course then I have to announce that it's cancelled, and everything gets a little bit blown out of proportion. It's probably the worst we've ever had it, but having said that, you're only talking about 10 or 12 horses.

"We schooled a load this morning, and Zarkandar [who coughed after winning the Betfair Hurdle last Friday] was back cantering. If we know that something's not quite right, we'll just give them a couple of quiet days."

Nicholls had three declared runners here, two of which had previous form, and though Edgardo Sol was unplaced in the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle, Duella Lord ran a sound race to finish third in the opening novice hurdle and Foggy's Wall finished second in the concluding race of the day.

"It's not a bad one where they're not eating, that's when you're in trouble," Nicholls said, "but there's not one that's like that at all, so we should be OK.

"I probably would have said something anyway [regardless of the scheduled media day], there's no point saying everything is all right when it's not. It takes the pressure off if you're up front, rather than trying to say that you haven't got a problem.

"What happens is that they pick something up on the racecourse and the stress of the race brings it out. The only one that [of the main Festival contenders] that I really wanted to run [before Cheltenham] was Zarkandar, and none of the others need to run anyway. Nothing has missed any work yet, so we'll just monitor the situation. Dildar [a possible runner in the Triumph Hurdle] is running this weekend, but all the others have done what we wanted to do.

"Zarkandar had a snotty nose the day after he won [the Betfair Hurdle] at Newbury, but straight away we gave him some antibiotics, and we cantered him this morning. Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Join Together, Al Ferof and four or five others were tested on Sunday and they were all absolutely 100%."

unclepuncle
When: 20 Feb 12 12:13
If they need antibiotics then they need be out of the horses system before they can run

judorick
When: 20 Feb 12 12:21
most likely viral rather than bacterial so antibiotics are pointless

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls on Monday night described a bout of coughing at his yard as "no big deal", but revealed that,with the Cheltenham Festival starting three weeks from Tuesday, Stan James Champion Hurdle second favourite Zarkandar was among a dozen horses on a course of antibiotics.

Maybe you should tell Paul Nicholls and his vet that they are wasting their time

it is a fact, if they are viral infections (which 95% are) that anti biotics are useless

unless they have taken cultures and grown them to find out whether they have a bacterial infection

That's true Judo. However it can take several days to culture bacterial to diagnose infections, so antibiotics may be being used preemptively. Also in many animals (though I'm not sure about horses) viral respiratory infections often lead to secondary bacterial infections which can/should be treated with antobiotics.

yes but giving antibiotics unnecessarily is counter productive and can weaken the organism, kill intestinal flora and make it more difficult to recover

flushing with 10ppm colloidal silver (silver disrupts viral growth), dilute soltions of sodium hypochlorite and inhalation of eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary essential oils can be used to fight viruses plus big doses of vitamins D &C while you wait for the culture plates to grow

pre-emptive antibiotics should be avoided at all costs

(you might guess that this is part of my professional expertise)

Are you a horse vet?

no but I am medically qualified

Amazing what you can find out on wikipedia

In all seriousness though I can't believe Paul Nicholls and his vet(s) aren't aware of all the downsides that you have listed so they presuambly have additional information to hand (or based on experience) that has led them to their decision.

Maybe they have a better judgement of vets than Henderson....