Two years on from Burrough Hill Lad's Hennessy, it was Nicholls who was laughing – and probably starving – after riding Broadheath to victory. Playschool gave him his second success in the race as a jockey 12 months later. Kandoo Kid gave him his fourth win in the now £250,000 contest as a trainer when scoring readily at 8-1 under Harry Cobden.
"It's great for Cobby. He'll be thinking about all those points he's won today," said Nicholls, referencing the David Power Jockeys' Cup. Even better than points are pounds, of which Nicholls banked quite a few, both as prize-money and punting returns, having backed Michael Geoghegan's eight-year-old ante-post.
"After he galloped here the other day, I said to Michael, 'You want to be backing this horse'," revealed Nicholls. "He had his bit on and I had my bit on. I think he got 16s and I got 25s."
Paul Nicholls walks in alongside Kandoo Kid, Harry Cobden and groom Charlie Milligan after the Coral Gold Cup Paul Nicholls walks in alongside Kandoo Kid, Harry Cobden and groom Charlie Milligan after the Coral Gold Cup Credit: Edward Whitaker Nicholls stressed more than once he is an infrequent punter. He had said the same when entertaining the audience at the Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year lunch this month. There and here he related how he won a few thousand pounds when using his Big Buck's 2009 World Hurdle winnings to lump on Kauto Star in the Gold Cup. Ten years earlier the pickings had been even richer at Cheltenham thanks to See More Business, Call Equiname and Flagship Uberalles.
"I backed all three in little doubles and trebles and ended up winning £39,000," said Nicholls, who never stakes much but with Kandoo Kid once again won big.
"I had £100 each-way at 25-1," he explained. "That's the sort of thing I do. I like targeting a race and believing in myself."
Given his current sparkling form and magnificent long-term record, the self-belief is entirely justified. Also justified, in the circumstances, was the question that simply had to be asked. Is there anything else you fancy?
"This horse for the Grand National," he said, adding: "I really do think he'll go well in that."
If you are minded to take the 14-time champion trainer's advice, Kandoo Kid is 33-1 to triumph at Aintree. Given Nicholls will be the one masterminding that mission, those odds might end up looking more than generous.
from Lee Mottershead-RP
Wonder which is the firm that accomodates Paul's business ?? It was also jolly nice of him to get the extra bit of juice in the price (presumably before that standout price had shortened for the owner).
Was thinking the same, scooby He gets 25s and the owner paying the bills only gets 16s after Nicholls gets on
I've always wondered why trainers are allowed to back their own horses but jockeys are not? Obviously, neither allowed to lay their own, or back other horses in the same race, effectively the same thing
Was thinking the same, scoobyHe gets 25s and the owner paying the bills only gets 16s after Nicholls gets onI've always wondered why trainers are allowed to back their own horses but jockeys are not? Obviously, neither allowed to lay their own, or ba
Aye,well spotted Scooby .... but the "Senior Reporter" has left a few details out.
Kandoo did a brilliant piece of work at a Newbury workout,presumably same day as Sir Gino and Constitution.
The jockey struggled to pull him up according to Nicholls and the owner.
The rider was Nico D Boing according to the Racing Post,stable jockey to one of his main rivals?
Kandoo and Cardboard burning up the berkshire track appeared to get overlooked somewhat last week.
Seven Wheels also had no entry in the Hennessey,first time in 10 years from a quick look back.
Few questions in there for any aspiring journalist,I doubt any will be asked.
Aye,well spotted Scooby .... but the "Senior Reporter" has left a few details out.Kandoo did a brilliant piece of work at a Newbury workout,presumably same day as Sir Gino and Constitution.The jockey struggled to pull him up according to Nicholls and
guys ,think about the number of times punters have been put away by trainers pre race and the number of times punters have succesfully been given the green light pre race ?
guys ,think about the number of times punters have been put away by trainers pre race and the number of times punters have succesfully been given the green light pre race ?
Trainers are the worst tipsters ever and I'll bet he has bet loads and loads of losers but highlighting them doesn't fit the bill. They do themselves no favours at time but they are damned if they do damned if they don't, depending on the result
Trainers are the worst tipsters ever and I'll bet he has bet loads and loads of losers but highlighting them doesn't fit the bill. They do themselves no favours at time but they are damned if they do damned if they don't, depending on the result
Nicholls' only runner in valuable staying handicap chase, unexposed profile, hardly need the trainer to tell people it was fancied. Several other runners in the race had a similar profile, arguably the first 6 home.
Nicholls' only runner in valuable staying handicap chase, unexposed profile, hardly need the trainer to tell people it was fancied. Several other runners in the race had a similar profile, arguably the first 6 home.
you obviously clever tham most because I read 24/7 for 7 days none of the field fitted the auld Hennessey profile till BOOBY put the twister fav in that bracket on itv on Fri, as opposed to general reading last week I new what captain teague Caldwell potter the novice winner had for supper on wed and Thurs night
you obviously clever tham most because I read 24/7 for 7 days none of the field fitted the auld Hennessey profile till BOOBY put the twister fav in that bracket on itv on Fri, as opposed to general reading last week I new whatcaptain teagueCaldwell
the race obviously didn't fill, so a big factor when comparing to past races. and one could say the unexposed ones didn't have the quality of some previous years.
my point is that it is back fitting the result (as usual). The French horse was galloping all over him until the run in.
the race obviously didn't fill, so a big factor when comparing to past races. and one could say the unexposed ones didn't have the quality of some previous years. my point is that it is back fitting the result (as usual). The French horse was gallopi
Paul Nicholls is a notoriously optimistic trainer, a modern-day Clive Brittain.
There is a line from Dave Nevison:-
Different trainers behave very differently. Years ago, at the start of a jumps season, I interviewed Paul Nicholls. After 40 minutes on the phone I had been given the winner of every race at Cheltenham. Then I interviewed Martin Pipe. I was on the phone for twice as long but when I put the phone down I realised that I hadn’t learnt anything at all about any of his horses, apart from the fact that they were all very nice and Pipe would have to consider where to run them.
Don't read too much into this.Paul Nicholls is a notoriously optimistic trainer, a modern-day Clive Brittain.There is a line from Dave Nevison:-Different trainers behave very differently. Years ago, at the start of a jumps season, I interviewed Paul
Of course his quote yesterday of 'you don't want your horses fit in October' when asked about several reverses then won't quite fill with cheer those who did their nuts on his multiple short priced losers. No problem getting this one fit of course.
Of course his quote yesterday of 'you don't want your horses fit in October' when asked about several reverses then won't quite fill with cheer those who did their nuts on his multiple short priced losers. No problem getting this one fit of course.
racings currently considered uncompetitive but just to prove how hard it is .pundits.comms will tell you pumpkin,venetia,Skelton,hendo etc have had a great couple of days but probably had 30 losers between them,its an awful lot of losers to avoid in trying to get on the probably over bet winners
racings currently considered uncompetitive but just to prove how hard it is .pundits.comms will tell you pumpkin,venetia,Skelton,hendo etc have had a great couple of days but probably had 30 losers between them,its an awful lot of losers to avoid i
And then you have fluke continually say day in day out that the winning trainer of the previous race is 'in great form'. Every single winner, even if the trainer has been on a long losing run.
And then you have fluke continually say day in day out that the winning trainer of the previous race is 'in great form'. Every single winner, even if the trainer has been on a long losing run.
your probably better off in the long run avoiding the top yards/usual suspects and hope they,ll have the odd wipeout,rather than trying to find the top yards winners amongst all the losers
your probably better off in the long run avoiding the top yards/usual suspects and hope they,ll have the odd wipeout,rather than trying to find the top yards winners amongst all the losers