PNicholls

[u]14:10 Cheltenham - Grandioso[/u] Proved slightly frustrating last season - he would have won but for falling two out at Hereford - but he came good off a mark of 118 in a 2m4f Ayr handicap hurdle in April. He only won by a neck, but the pair pulled 13 lengths clear of the third. Clearly finds this trip more to his liking and, although the Ayr win came on good ground, he did win his bumper for Howard Johnson in the soft, so he is adaptable if the ground does worsen a bit. However, he wouldn't want it too testing - I took him out at Chepstow on Saturday because of the ground - but the forecast I have seen is pretty good. This is a competitive race, with very promising horses such as The New One in here, but Grandioso is a much stronger horse this season. Goes chasing after this. [u]14:45...

Cheltenham was obviously a trying week, but the last few days have put racing into perspective. You may have wondered why you haven't read any updates from me since Friday, or seen me quoted anywhere in the press; well, the reason is that my youngest daughter, one-year-old Zara, has been very ill. She was taken into hospital on Saturday morning, and was released home later that evening. But on Sunday morning we had to get the ambulance out again, as she took a turn for the worse, and it was touch-and-go for a while. We were worried, I can tell you. Thankfully, she seems a bit better today but she will be in hospital for a while yet, and I have been to and from Yeovil hospital these past few days. We don't know exactly what the problem is with Zara, but it seems that she has picked...

[u]13:30, JCB Triumph Hurdle[/u] [i]Dodging Bullets[/i] Showed smart form on the Flat in Ireland (beating Hisaabaat on his final start at Sligo of a mark of 89) and delighted me when second to Grumeti at Kempton on his hurdling debut last month. The winner probably won with a fair bit in hand and was giving us 7lb, but I was more than happy with that introductory run. He will be a lot sharper for it. I was originally going to keep him back for Aintree but he has really pleased me at home since so we take our chance here. My juveniles tend to come on a good deal for their first run and I hope that is the case again here, as he will need to improve a fair deal to be winning this. But he is a horse I rate, and his slick jumping will stand him in good stead. Has done plenty of schooling ...

[u]13:30, Jewson Novices' Chase[/u] [i]Cristal Bonus[/i] Was favourite for this race until Peddlers Cross was re-routed from the Arkle but this is a horse with the class and form to make his presence felt here, make no mistake. He may not have had the ability to finish second in a Champion but he was a very smart hurdler and has been impressive in his two chase starts, winning by 25 lengths at Chepstow and then beating Duke of Lucca by 13 lengths at Kempton last time, coming home really powerfully. Jumped slightly out to his left at Kempton so going left handed here will suit him too. While respecting Peddlers Cross and plenty of others in this competitive race such as Sir Des Champs and For Non Stop, I like his chances. [u]14:05, Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle)[/u] [i]Sonofvic[/i] It...

[u]13:30, Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase[/u] [i]Harry The Viking[/i] I respect plenty of the opposition in this race, and I actually think Teaforthree and Allee Garde are the ones to beat. Teaforthree came back to winning form last time and looks the stand-out performer on form on his 1 ½ length second to our Sun Alliance hopeful Join Together over 3m here in November. But I think we have winning prospects with Harry The Viking, who is sure to attract his fair bit of media attention because Sir Alex Ferguson features among the owners. This winning pointer has always looked the ideal type for this race, and he has won at tough staying tracks such as Chepstow and Towcester. But he undoubtedly showed his best form when beating subsequent winner Ikorodu Road over 3m2f in a Doncaster...

[u]13:30, Supreme Novices' Hurdle [/u][i]Prospect Wells[/i] Was quite a challenge when he first came to us - actually that's an understatement, as we couldn't even get him to jump a pole at first - but we got there in the end with him and he was very impressive at Chepstow on his hurdling debut. We then decided to throw him in at the deep end against Steps To Freedom in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham, and looking back at the race, I really think we should have won there. We were beaten a neck as he got worried about of it close home after looking sure to win - I gather he traded at the minimum price of 1.01 on Betfair - but at least that told us that we had a serious novice hurdler on our hands. He then went to Newbury and won well before taking his chance in the Ladbroke off a mark...

Clive and I have given Kauto Star the green light for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a very good schooling session on the grass this morning. Ruby came over to school him and Kauto was awesome, just as I'd thought he would be. He jumped six fences - the plain fence and the open ditch three times each - and he was foot perfect and looked magnificent. I have just put the phone down to Clive and, barring any mishaps in the next few days, Kauto lines up for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday. We are looking forward to it. [b]For more exclusive Paul Nicholls content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/[/b]

Nothing major to report today but we are, thankfully, still heading in the right direction. Kauto once again had his physio and his hour on the walker. And then he had a half-speed 10f canter with Big Buck's and then a canter up the hill with him, too. In fact, all my Cheltenham horses did the same routine - so Kauto did everything the other Festival horses did today. Clifford is still smiling and at one point I thought he was going to do Kauto's box roll for him! [b]For more exclusive Paul Nicholls content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/[/b]

We upped Kauto Star's work again today. He had his now regular morning physio and an hour on the walker - we should bring out an exercise video, as that routine is getting so much publicity - and then we gave him his most testing workout since his schooling fall. We gave him two strong canters up the hill alongside my Fred Winter hopeful Ulck Du Lin. And again I have to report that he came through it fine and I'm happy with him at the moment. What particularly pleased me that, aside from looking great, he came back from the work and had a good roll in his box, always a good sign with him. He looks happy in himself and Clifford is smiling. But we have had a change of plan over the so-called 'D Day' home gallop on Saturday. He will now gallop after racing at Wincanton on...