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25 Oct 11
15:32
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
PAUL NICHOLLS has expressed his regret at running Master Minded in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last weekend and said he should have stuck to his original plan to run at Ascot next month.
Owned by Clive Smith, Master Minded finished last of three behind Albertas Run and outsider Pure Faith at Aintree, jumping less than fluently and weakening out of contention over the final two fences.
However, Nicholls blamed himself for running the dual Champion Chase winner too soon and expects plenty of improvement from the eight-year-old as he builds up for the William Hill King George VI Chase on December 26.
"He cantered this morning and obviously wasn't as forward as we thought. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish we'd stuck to the plan and gone to Ascot at the end of November," Nicholls said.
"The ground was obviously quick enough for him Saturday and he jumped a little bit hesitantly and right handed. Remember you don't want these horses at their best at this time of year and he will improve plenty for that."
Nicholls also revealed that last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar may not be seen out before the King George meeting with the trainer believing the best races for the half-brother to Flat star Zarkarva are in the spring.
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He said: "I'm in no hurry with him. I think the best races for him are in the spring and you might not see him until Boxing Day and the Christmas Hurdle, but we haven't got a plan at all and I'm not rushing him."
Light campaigns are also the plan for Denman and Kauto Star with Nicholls saying that the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winners are in as good form as everat the age of 11.
Denman is being prepared to make his comeback in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown while the Betfair Chase at Haydock is the plan for Kauto Star.
Speaking on At The Races, Nicholls said: "They're both in really good shape, looking fantastic and enjoying what they're doing. There's no injuries, no hassle, no nothing with them and while they're like they are let them do what they enjoy doing.
"They're not going to run much. We're just going to pick and choose our races. See More Business was running when he was 12 and 13 and ran some nice races."
He added: "These old horses I love them, it's a bit of a challenge. You do different things to get them right completely and at the moment they're in good nick."
Owned by Clive Smith, Master Minded finished last of three behind Albertas Run and outsider Pure Faith at Aintree, jumping less than fluently and weakening out of contention over the final two fences.
However, Nicholls blamed himself for running the dual Champion Chase winner too soon and expects plenty of improvement from the eight-year-old as he builds up for the William Hill King George VI Chase on December 26.
"He cantered this morning and obviously wasn't as forward as we thought. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish we'd stuck to the plan and gone to Ascot at the end of November," Nicholls said.
"The ground was obviously quick enough for him Saturday and he jumped a little bit hesitantly and right handed. Remember you don't want these horses at their best at this time of year and he will improve plenty for that."
Nicholls also revealed that last season's JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar may not be seen out before the King George meeting with the trainer believing the best races for the half-brother to Flat star Zarkarva are in the spring.
)
He said: "I'm in no hurry with him. I think the best races for him are in the spring and you might not see him until Boxing Day and the Christmas Hurdle, but we haven't got a plan at all and I'm not rushing him."
Light campaigns are also the plan for Denman and Kauto Star with Nicholls saying that the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winners are in as good form as everat the age of 11.
Denman is being prepared to make his comeback in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown while the Betfair Chase at Haydock is the plan for Kauto Star.
Speaking on At The Races, Nicholls said: "They're both in really good shape, looking fantastic and enjoying what they're doing. There's no injuries, no hassle, no nothing with them and while they're like they are let them do what they enjoy doing.
"They're not going to run much. We're just going to pick and choose our races. See More Business was running when he was 12 and 13 and ran some nice races."
He added: "These old horses I love them, it's a bit of a challenge. You do different things to get them right completely and at the moment they're in good nick."
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It's like the Emperors New Clothes with this horse - no one ever wants to believe he's just not as good as he's been officially rated...
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3 weeks ago
16:10, Silviniaco Conti Proved a revelation last season. Was very workmanlike at home and took us by surprise when making his debut for us at Bangor on this Saturday last season, winning by 29 lengths. And then he went on to beat Captain Chris by 10 lengths over this course and distance before beating Karabak by seven lengths at Ascot; a staggering improvement in such a short space of time. He had his winning run ended when third in the International but he was only half-a-length behind today's rival Cue Card there, and we were giving him 4lb (you can forget his final hurdle start at Wincanton). I wouldn't read too much into the Cheltenham form as a pointer here though as chasing is obviously a totally different ball game but I am excited by this horse. And if he runs well here, then I have the Rising Stars at Wincanton in mind for him next month. But a word of warning for punters; while he has done lots of schooling and this trip will suit, he is not totally revved up for this and will improve enormously for the run. So while defeat would be slightly disappointing it wouldn't be the end of the world as he has bigger targets further down the line. But as a highly rated hurdler going chasing, we clearly have high hopes for him this season. I just want to see him jump nicely here. |