PNicholls

[u]14:10, Maiden Hurdle[/u] [i]Curtain Razer[/i] This is a decent maiden hurdle, with the likes of Seven Woods, Royal Commission and Goulanes in opposition, to name but three. So it will take some winning. Winner of both his points, Curtain Razer was very obviously disappointing when a well beaten favourite at Chepstow last time. But that clearly wasn't his true running and if he returns to the form of his second to Gullinbursti at Exeter in November, where recent 15 length winner Oscar Davy was nine lengths away in third, then he has a definite chance here. Will be suited by the better ground, too. [u]15:50, Novice Handicap Chase[/u] [i]No Loose Change[/i] Winning pointer who failed to get his head his front over hurdles, though ran a fair race when beaten just two necks into third...

Fair play to sponsors Betfair for pumping more money into this meeting to keep this race as the UK's richest handicap hurdle with prize money of £152,500; last season the winner was racing for just over £34,000 and we didn't have a runner. But we have three this year, and all have chances. Here are my thoughts on Zarkandar... If only life was as simple as some people are making out and my Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar is thrown in off a mark of "just 151" here, given the way the form of that Cheltenham race has worked out. Obviously, I hope that he is but I don't think it is as straightforward as some people are speculating. And it is interesting to see that while Timeform have him as their top-rated horse in the race, it is only by 1lb. Yes, the Triumph form has been franked...

[u]12:10 Newbury[/u] [i]Hold Fast[/i] This horse is very tricky to train as he has intermittent lameness and foot problems - but he doesn't lack in talent either judged on his seven length defeat of All For Free at Sandown last time. Although we expected him to come on for his reappearance run here and he was well-backed at Sandown, the manner of his victory certainly came as a bit of a shock to us. Admittedly, the form of that race hasn't worked out at all, but the emphatic nature of his win told us that we have to step him up in class and see where he takes us. I'm not saying that he has Grade 1 pretentions at the Cheltenham Festival at this stage - not by a long chalk - but that was the same Sandown race that Master Minded won before winning the Champion Chase in 2008. And St...

Losing Newbury on Saturday was a big blow - but at least it has been softened by the news that the whole meeting has been transferred to Friday, live on Channel 4. So fair play to all concerned in making this happen. And it is especially pleasing to see that the Betfair Hurdle retains its original prize money of £152,500 and will still be run as Europe's richest handicap hurdle, despite the race being run on a Friday. Last year it was run for a fraction of that, with the winner only getting just over £34,000. As long as they are all fit and well, then all the horses I was going to run at Newbury will turn out on Friday - and that includes Zarkandar. I would not be overly-concerned if a lot of my horses had to go straight to Cheltenham - I can get them fresh, fit and well...

I will not be a happy man if the cold weather sticks around claims the "Betfair Super Saturday" meeting at Newbury on February 11. Because I have a strong team heading for the meeting - as no doubt you will be reading about in the papers on Tuesday, as I host a press day here for Newbury racecourse and Betfair here this morning. But you may as well read about my Newbury team here first, so here goes. At this stage, ante-post favourite Zarkandar (Daryl Jacob) and Brampour (Harry Derham) are my two definite runners in the Betfair Hurdle, Europe's richest handicap hurdle. And Empire Levant could also join them. What a Friend was a sick horse after Wetherby but he is in really good form at the moment and is my number one hope in the Betfair Denman Chase. He carried a 10lb penalty...

[u]13:00, 2m Juvenile Hurdle [/u][b]Ranjaan[/b] Showed a fair level of form on the Flat in France for the Aga Khan and Mikel Delzangles, winning two of his five starts but putting up his best effort when second over 1m6f on his final start in June. Was bought for 200,000 euros at the Arqana Sales in June and we very much like what we have seen of him at home so far, as he has worked and schooled well in preparation for this. And has certainly been working in lofty company, as he went with Big Buck's last Saturday and Celestial Halo on Wednesday. Is high up in ante-post lists for the Triumph Hurdle but let's see how we get on here first; homework is all well and good but they have got to show it on the track for me. Urbain De Sivola looks the pick of the raced contingent and Alan King's...

[u]13:35, Newbury[/u] [b]Rock of Deauville[/b] Regular readers of this column will know how frustrating I have found Rock Of Deauville. He would put 140-rated horses to shame at home but off marks of 116 and 114 this season (he now races off 112 here), he has found nothing when the chips were down. So now Harry gets the chance to see what he can do. And at least "Morning Glory" as he is known here - that is Rock, not Harry - did actually deliver on the track last time as Becky Furber put him in front bang on the line when winning a charity race at Cheltenham at the Paddy Power meeting. You will not see a more cooler or better executed ride, as I told her to put his head in front on the line. That is what I call riding to instructions. Over to you, Harry - more of the same please. And...

Here are my views on our two runners at Newbury today: [b]15:50 Newbury River D'Or:[/b] Timeform sums up River D'Or as: "All in all, he's been a flop since joining this yard" - thanks for that lads! In truth, they aren't far wrong and he has clearly disappointed since coming to us after winning at Auteuil in June 2009. He ran a little bit better to a point here last time but the fact is that he was beaten by 26 lengths. The positives are that the handicapper has dropped him 5lb and this longer trip may suit, but you clearly cannot be confident of his chances. I have seen stronger Newbury handicaps though. [b]16:25 Newbury Teshali:[/b] Has a similar profile to River D'Or in that he has been really disappointing for me. Showed near 100-rated form on the Flat in France and, to be...

Here's my thoughts on our six runners today: [i]14:55, Newbury[/i] [b]Forlovenormoney:[/b] 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. [i]15:20, Doncaster[/i] [b]Our Bomber Harris:[/b] 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. [i]16:05, Newbury[/i] [b]River D'Or:[/b] 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...