PNicholls

We go into the Festival in good form - we had six winners on Friday and Saturday - but getting winners at Cheltenham is clearly a different ball game altogether.

I see that I'm vying for favouritism with Nicky to be top trainer and, yes, we both have strong hands. But, like I always say, let's just get a winner on the board and anything else is a bonus.

I am traditionally a slow starter at the Festival, and I run just five today. But hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish I had six. I refer of course to Mon Parrain; he would have been some bet in the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase. But I didn't enter him as I didn't think he would be anywhere near ready. His win on Saturday astounded me as he had only been in work 58 days, and that after getting a injury in the autumn. I thought Saturday would put him spot on for a handicap at Aintree.

To put that into some context, I normally want to give a horse 12 weeks of work before they are ready to run. So his performance really did shock me. The race may have taken little winning in the end, but he jumped brilliantly and you'd have to think he may be a Grade 1 or 2 horse after that.

I think he went into the race handicapped on what he had done, but he has clearly improved; he has been running in deep going in France, so perhaps the better ground at Sandown brought about the improvement.

I suspect the 3m handicap at Aintree we had earmarked for him may now be out of the equation, though we will see what the handicapper does, and he is in the Topham, too.

But I think our hand will be forced and we will run him in the Martell Cup.

For those punters who think trainers always know, think again!

To read Paul's exclusive articles throughout Cheltenham, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/

Here's my thoughts on our six runners today:

14:55, Newbury
Forlovenormoney: Won a point in Ireland and started favourite for a Hereford novices' hurdle in November, travelling well but dropping away from 2 out to finish sixth. I am hopeful of a better run today.

15:20, Doncaster
Our Bomber Harris: Won a 2m bumper and 2m3f novice hurdle before proving himself a fair sort, ending last season with a fourth off a mark of 132 at Cheltenham in April; was slightly disappointing on his reappearance but better ground should suit him here on his chasing debut.

16:05, Newbury
River D'Or: Won a 2m2f hurdle at Auteuil in June 2009 and it is fair to say that he has disappointed in his three starts for me, running his best race when seventh at Doncaster last February. A mark of 119 is possibly a bit harsh on what he has done here but he had a breathing operation in the summer and that hopefully will see him improve on his chasing debut.

16:40, Newbury
Don't Turn Bach: This horse has had me tearing my hair out, but I hope he will be able to give Ruby a winner on his comeback ride. Showed very smart winning bumper form when with Willie Mullins but has proved very frustrating, travelling powerfully and looking like the winner on his last two starts, only to stop. He may be a bridle horse (runs in a cross noseband) but is well and has been given a very workable handicap mark of 106; conditions should suit today and he ought to be up to winning a handicap off this mark.

17:15, Newbury
Ornais: Came back from over a two year absence when fifth to his old stablemate Turthen at Wincanton last month. Although that run was light years away from his best - he was a high-class novice chaser in 2008 - that run delighted me, as he needed it badly and has come on enormously for the run. We rode him more negatively than usual there because he wasn't 100 per cent fit, but it is fair to assume that he will be ridden more handy today, especially as this 2m6f trip is short enough for him. Has the Grand National as his aim, where I quite like the look of him off 10st 4lb. We pulled him out of Fontwell on Sunday due to the heavy ground but hopefully this race will provide a decent stepping stone to Aintree.

17:35, Doncaster
Karinga Dancer: Like all my bumper horses would have needed the run on his debut, so he ran a nice race to finish third at Ffos Las. Can be expected to improve upon that but faces three decent last time out winners here, though he obviously gets weight off them. Can make up into a nice staying novice hurdler next season.

To read Paul's preview of his weekend runners from 8am tomorrow, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

It was great to welcome Ruby back to the team when he walked through the gates on Monday morning, and we have certainly kept him busy since.

And I can reveal here that he partnered Kauto Star in a racecourse gallop with Master Minded (Daryl Jacob), Sam Winner (Harry Skelton) and Robinson Collonges (Ian Popham) on Tuesday morning.

Clive Smith was on hand to watch the workout and Kauto Star went with Master Minded, and I was particularly pleased with Kauto, though they all went nicely and I was delighted with all four. They did a nice piece of work over 2m, with Robinson going with Sam.

Sam Winner needed the breeze out and enjoyed himself, and in many ways Robinson is very much a forgotten horse.

I see Wishfull Thinking is one of the favourites for the Jewson but don't forget that Robinson Collonges would have probably beaten him in the Rising Stars at Wincanton in February and we were giving him 6lb that day; we go for the Jewson and he has come back well.

But back to Ruby.

After he schooled Kauto, Master Minded, Big Buck's and Sam Winner on Monday, we went to a bar-restaurant called The Chapel in Bruton for "An Evening With Paul and Ruby". We had a talk and a chat about Cheltenham, sold a few of our books and had a good time.

Then we did the racecourse gallop on Tuesday morning, and after we came back Ruby schooled Aiteen Thirtythree, Definity, Al Ferof, Niche Market and Rock On Ruby.

He looks really fit and sharp - he has kept himself in good shape - and the idea is to ease him back with one ride at Newbury tomorrow, and three or four on Saturday.

To read Paul's vies on his Friday runners from 8am tomorrow, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

It's great to have an important member of the team back at Ditcheat, namely Ruby Walsh.

After a little gallop at Leopardstown on Sunday on Willie's horses, Ruby was here yesterday schooling some of our Cheltenham hopefuls. He'll also be riding out today.

We have a video where you see him schooling Kauto Star, Master Minded and Sam Winner - to view the video, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/latest-news/welcome-back-ruby-280211.html

When we arrived at Kempton on Saturday, I turned round to Dan and said: "We may as well load the lorry back up and go straight home."

Because the ground was as soft as I have seen it at Kempton in a long, long, while and I very nearly pulled all my horses out.

Horses like Toubab, American Trilogy and Fistral Beach hated it - Fistral wouldn't stay 3m in that ground in an aeroplane - but there were some crumbs of comfort.

I thought Empire Levant ran a smashing race, and he now goes to Aintree, as does Toubab. They are just two of my horses that I can't wait to get on better ground.

But obviously the highlight of the day was Zarkandar.

As I said in Friday's column, he was very difficult when we first got him but the team here at Ditcheat have done a great job of turning him around, and his win yesterday was a testament to their hard work.

The win surprised me. Although he goes really nicely at home now, I thought he would need more time and experience.

But he was very impressive - the time was very decent in the ground, too - and he now goes straight for the Triumph. We left plenty to work on going to Kempton and better ground will suit him, too.

We now look to have a very strong hand in the Triumph. Brampour flew in his work yesterday and is an improving animal, and of course we also have Sam Winner, who beat the current Triumph Hurdle favourite Grandouet by 15 lengths at Cheltenham in November, albeit getting 8lb.

I have said in the past that we also have the Supreme as an option for Sam Winner, but I won't make any decision until I sit down with Mrs Yeoman. It's nice to have two options for him, though.

Elsewhere, I chatted to Graham Roach and the plan is to run Definity in the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase on the opening day.

We have been given a chance off a mark of 136.

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A trio of new horses have been welcomed into the fold at Ditcheat, all from the point to point field. Here are some introductions...

Rocky Creek: Is a full brother to Tell Massini. He won his debut point in Ireland, beating a horse of Paul Barber's called Rolling Aces. Paul was there watching and was suitably impressed, and managed to buy the horse after the race. He may have one run in a novice hurdle this season but is obviously one for the future.

No Loose Change: Is a six-year-old who won his maiden point to point in Ireland. Tom Malone bought him privately for me and may run in a 3m novice hurdle before going chasing.

Harry The Viking: Won a maiden point at Larkhill, where a horse of mine that I think a bit of, Mendip Express, finished third. I was impressed with him, and we managed to buy him afterwards - he used to be trained by the same connections that we bought What A Friend off. Is due to run in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in a fortnight.

To read Paul's exclusive preview of his weekend runners every Saturday morning, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

With Cheltenham just around the corner, the Festival previews nights are upon us with a vengeance.

Clearly, trainers like myself are in great demand, and you have to try and strike a balance between promoting the sport by taking part, and spreading yourself too thinly at a very busy period.

I'm actually doing nine preview nights, which started at Exeter last night, which is probably three too many in all honesty.

But a lot of money can get raised for charities on these nights, so I fit them in when I can.

On Sunday, we open our doors to the Million In Mind partnership here at Ditcheat. About 150 of their members are expected. We will parade our horses and then move on to the Village Hall where myself, Anthony Bromley, Dan Skelton and Mark Howard will run through the Festival races. Then we will all home in on the Manor for a bit of rest and relaxation.

Then they start to come thick and fast; on March 5, we are again in Ditcheat for our local Hunt; on March 8, I'm in Fermoy in Ireland; on March 10, I'm in London for a Betfair evening; on March 11, I'm doing an evening for Alice Plunkett down in Dorset; on March 12, I'm at Sandown after the races and finally I finish up at Cheltenham on Sunday 13.

Then we have our annual eve of Festival quiz at the Manor on the Monday night.

After all that, the four day Festival should be a breeze.

Not!

On a different subject, it was good to get our 100th winner for the season on the board this week and, as I write this on Friday morning, I am only 73 off 2,000 winners.

I have apparently won more than £30m in prize money in that time, too.

So congratulations to Nicky Henderson for getting his 2,000 winners on the board recently - but remember I have 13 years on you, Nicky!

To read Paul's exclusive preview of his weekend runners every Saturday morning, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

We run Fistral Beach in the Racing Post Chase on Saturday - and I can announce that AP McCoy takes the ride.

Obviously, a breathing operation looks to have worked with Fistral, as he won really well at Wincanton on his reappearance.

There is a slight doubt in my mind about him staying 3m, so let's hope the rain stays away this week. But good to soft ground will be fine.

For more exclusive articles from Paul, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

A quartet of leading chances from Paul Nicholls' stable put in some good work this morning.


We took four of our big Festival guns for a racecourse gallop this morning, and they all fired nicely.

They all worked over 2m, going a nice steady gallop, then quickening up in the final furlong.

Denman (Sam Thomas) worked with Big Buck's (Harry Skelton), and Poquelin (Ian Popham) worked with Ghizao (Nick Scholfield).

All four went nicely, but it was not a serious gallop. It was just a nice trip out for them.

I revealed Denman had a soft palate operation here last night and the reason why we gave him that was to give him every possible chance of winning at Cheltenham.

And he went well this morning, and luckily that put Paul Barber, watching the gallop, in a good mood.

So I think I am winning the battle to run Aiteen Thirtythree in the RSA Chase at the Festival!

To read Paul's exclusive preview of his weekend runners every Saturday from 8am, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

Here's my preview of our runners for this afternoon's Newbury meeting:

12:10

Valentine Vic

Winning pointer who will make his proper mark when sent over fences. But he showed fair form over hurdles when beating Triggerman by six lengths at Taunton last season, before a breathing problem surfaced when disappointing next time. Hopefully, that problem has now been rectified. I would say that Valentine Vic is on a workable, perhaps even winnable, mark off 125 here before he goes chasing.

12:45

We have won five of the last nine runnings of the Aon with five different horses (Shotgun Willy, Valley Henry, Kauto Star, Denman and Tricky Trickster) and we rely on What A Friend and Noland today. The race has cut up to just five runners, with the likes of Riverside Theatre going to Ascot on Saturday, so hopefully we can make it six from 10 with a different horse today.

What A Friend

Finished a fine second to Denman in the Hennessy last season, and went on to record Grade 1 successes at Leopardstown and Aintree. Had a breathing operation in the summer and I thought he had improved, so he undoubtedly disappointed me when only fifth in the Betfair Chase. But he didn't like the tacky ground there and I can forgive any horse one poor run. We have targeted this race ever since Haydock and he goes well fresh, so he needs to win this if we are to entertain thoughts of the Gold Cup, though he is also in the Racing Post Chase and the Grand National too. Harry rides, which gives us an extra jockey option if he gets to the Gold Cup.

Noland

To be honest, he has to show something here or retirement beckons. But like we saw with Neptune Collonges, horses can bounce back from very poor runs, so fingers crossed. Despite his excellent second to Pepe Simo in a Jumpers' Bumper in December, I thought he would need the run at Cheltenham, his first jumps starts since winning the 2008 John Durkan. But he clearly ran disappointingly, never jumping or travelling. But AP said give him a try over 3m, so here we are, and the smaller field and longer trip may give more time to get into a rhythm. Let's hope he shows some of the sparkle that saw him win three Grade 1 races. I think you will see an different horse today under these conditions.

13:15

Tchico Polos

He is rated 157, so is certainly a hard horse to place now, and I probably shouldn't have run him in the Victor Chandler last time as the race came too soon. But he has had a longer break this time and certainly has claims here on his best form now that Woolcombe Folly doesn't run (we withdrew him at the overnight stage last week because of a bad scope) and this has become a very open race; indeed, he is weighted to reverse Sandown form with Cornas, and that run was probably a career-best and marked him down as a progressive horse. But he doesn't owe anybody anything after winning the race we targeted him at, the Haldon Gold Cup, earlier this season. But he can go well here if back to his best.

Take The Breeze

Has become a hard horse to place, so I thought we would take our chance here. Improved to finish third at Aintree on his final start last season, and I got him primed to run at Ascot in October - some paddock watchers thought he looked a bit big there but he had done loads of work before that run, and he is a horse who always looks big and well. He ran really well at Ascot but lost out by one-and-a-half lengths after looking to set to win on the run-in. Looked to go close again over 3m1f at Sandown earlier in the month before weakening in the closing stages. Although the step down in trip seems somewhat extreme, he has winning form over the trip and here at Newbury, and he wouldn't be totally out of it on ratings. There is plenty of pace in this race too, which helps.

14:25

Minella Stars

I have read a couple of people question the fact that owners, trainers and jockeys supported last week's abandoned Newbury card despite the fact some of the races fell below the recommended tariff levels. But I would just like to thank Newbury, and all concerned, for re-staging this fixture. And this is a new race on the card, so I am doubly thankful. Minella Stars won a couple of points last year and won nicely on his hurdling debut at Hereford last month. Has improved for that, is a horse I like, and I think he will run very, very well here.

Tricky Trickster

I also had him in the Aon, a race he won last season, but he is not yet ready for a race of that calibre, so I give him a sharpener here instead. Has had a breathing operation since running badly at Cheltenham in November and needs to wake up on the track now. If he does, he could head for the Midlands National after this.

15:00

Aiteen Thirtythree

He was rated only 120 over hurdles and after just one run over fences, he is already rated 150, so he has made massive improvement for the switch. In fact, there is a funny story about his progression. When Ruby got him after he finished second at Newbury last year, he called him "useless". Myself and Mr Barber remember it well - but I don't think Ruby was sticking to that assessment after Aiteen was a wide-margin winner on his chase debut here in November. I have already backed Aiteen at 33-1 for next year's Hennessy, as he looks the ideal type for the race. The track clearly suits him, though I wouldn't want it too soft for him. Is a cracking prospect, but I fully respect the opposition here, notably Tarablaze.

15:35

Balding Banker

Finished second on his debut at Ascot and then went one better in style over course and distance in November. Has progressed well physically for his subsequent break, but has to step up again in this company as the Newbury race probably wasn't that strong. But is a nice prospect and this will probably be his last run of the season before going over hurdles next year. Let's see what happens here first.

To read Paul's exclusive preview of his weekend runners every Saturday from 8am, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/