PNicholls

I was more confident of [b]Kauto Star[/b] beating Long Run in the Betfair Chase, than I am of my horse confirming the Haydock form in the King George today. There, I have said it. For punters out there, that may seem a very strange thing to say given that Kauto Star was twice the price at Haydock than he is likely to go off at Kempton today, and that he beat [b]Long Run[/b] so convincingly there. But going to Haydock, I was really bullish in my own mind that Kauto was as fit and well as I could possibly have had him. But, for obvious reasons, I had to rein back my true enthusiasm and confidence going into the race; a race, lest we forget, that many were saying that he shouldn't even be running in. Hand on heart, I cannot say the same today. I'm confident, but not that confident. Don't...

I run two in the International at Cheltenham on Saturday, but there has been a change of plans as regards jockey bookings. At the request of his owners, Harry Derham now rides Brampour. So Ruby Walsh takes the mount on Sanctuaire. I discussed it through with Brampour's owners yesterday and presented them with the facts, obviously pointing out that Harry couldn't claim, and gave them 24 hours to think it over and make a final decision today. And they have just come back this morning and said they are staying loyal to Harry after he has guided it to victory at Ascot and in the Greatwood at Cheltenham. They are in the game for the love of it, and want Harry to ride him on Saturday. Harry clearly gets on very well with the horse, but Ruby switching to Sanctuaire is certainly not...

I have literally just put the phone down to Clive and I can reveal that Ruby rides Kauto Star at Haydock on Saturday, and Daryl rides Master Minded at Ascot. Obviously, that is all dependent on the horses pleasing me, and all going well in their preparation, this week. Ruby will ride all my Haydock horses on Friday and Saturday, and Daryl will ride my Ascot runners. Clearly, it makes sense for Ruby to partner Kauto Star. But while Noel was in the frame for Master Minded, having won the Ascot race on him last year and next time up at Cheltenham too, Daryl is now our second jockey and he gets the ride. Furthermore, Daryl has done a lot of work and schooling on Master Minded at home, too. [b]For more exclusive Paul Nicholls content, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/[/b]...

Al Ferof doesn't run at Bangor today for a number of reasons but chief among them is that Ruby isn't available to ride him. So we take the horse to [b]Cheltenham[/b] on Sunday, where he is. And that change of plan has two added benefits; firstly, we will avoid a potentially hard race with [b]Peddlers Cross[/b] first time up, and secondly he will get some Cheltenham chase experience at the weekend. But we have five runners at Exeter today; here are my thoughts on them: [i]12:50, 2m5f Novice Hurdle[/i] [b]Curtain Razer[/b] Is an Old Vic half-brother to four winners, notably 2008 Irish Grand National winner Hear The Echo. Has shown plenty of promise himself already, landing two from two for Richard Barber, winning at Ottery St Mary and Buckfastleigh. As his pedigree would suggest,...

I think the general public have more pressing matters on their minds than the whip issue - like how they are going to pay their heating and fuel bills this winter. That is my honest take on this on-going whip debate, which seems to be on the verge of spiralling out of control once again. For the past 10 years, I will tell you how many complaints I have received over the whip on the telephone, via email or in letters: none, although I have had plenty in support of Ruby recently, including the owners of Edgardo Sol. So it was really sad to see Ruby so disillusioned with the sport after his superb willing ride on our Edgardo Sol, which saw him given a five-day whip ban for excellence. His interview with Nick Luck on RUK really saddened me, and no doubt many others. Listening to...

I think the general public have more pressing matters on their minds than the whip issue - like how they are going to pay their heating and fuel bills this winter. That is my honest take on this on-going whip debate, which seems to be on the verge of spiralling out of control once again. For the past 10 years, including from last weekend, I will tell you how many complaints I have received over the whip on the telephone, via email or in letters: none, although I have had plenty in support of Ruby this week, including the owners of [b]Edgardo Sol[/b]. So it was really sad to see Ruby so disillusioned with the sport after his superb willing ride on our Edgardo Sol, which saw him given a five-day whip ban for excellence. His interview with [b]Nick Luck[/b] on RUK on Wednesday ...

[b]Many of the big names at Ditcheat are in the twilight of their careers but with six new arrivals from Graham Wylie and a host of promising new names there are many reasons to be cheerful and 2011-12 could be a year to remember for Paul and the team...[/b] We always aim to have 20 winners by September 1 and I am very happy with the way that my summer horses have gone, with 17 winners at a strike rate of 33 per cent. But of course the [b]"real" season[/b] doesn't really begin until October and we have been busy upgrading for the challenges that lie ahead. And challenges certainly do lie ahead, because this season represents a "Changing Of The Guard" for Ditcheat, with some established stars coming towards the end of their careers and a few notable departures from the yard. In...

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 ...