Paul Nicholls Runners, Odds and Entries
Paul Nicholls is one of the giants of the National Hunt game.
The 14-time champion Jumps trainer is closing in on the landmark figure of 4,000 winners and, while he’s not a trainer that sees the Cheltenham Festival as the be-all and end-all, it will be a surprise if he doesn’t add to his 48 festival wins come March.
Paul Nicholls Runners Today
Nicholls’ powerful squad is spearheaded by last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame, who will renew rivalry with Galopin Des Champs in what looks a vintage renewal of the blue-riband race, on paper at least.
However, Bravemansgame isn’t one of Nicholls’ best five chances of the week based on ante-post prices, so let’s look at the horses that betting sites believe are more likely to give the Ditcheat trainer and his title-chasing rider Harry Cobden more big-race success.
Top Five Cheltenham Festival Chances
Stay Away Fay – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase - 2.10 Wednesday
Last year’s Albert Bartlett winner was always expected to truly shine when switched to fences and that’s exactly what has happened.
His gutsy success in the Grade 2 Esher Novices’ Chase highlighted not only his class, but his attitude and sheer toughness.
It was an ambitious move by connections to pitch him in against older horses in the Cotswold Chase, where he was conceding weight to the winner.
Horse racing betting sites are almost certain that he has the class to win a race like the Brown Advisory, but does he have the class to beat a horse with the potential of Fact To File? He certainly won’t fall short if it turns into a battle.
Teeshan – Champion Bumper - 5.30 Wednesday
Went into an Exeter bumper with a tall home reputation after bolting up in a Loughanmore point in October.
He justified that confidence in style and although the form of that race isn’t worth much, it says plenty about the regard in which this horse is held in that connections are keen to take their chance in a race that they normally shy away from unless they have a good one.
Short enough in the market now at 9/1, given what he’s achieved so far, but he could be anything.
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Ginny’s Destiny – Turners Novices’ Chase - 1.30 Thursday
Highly progressive over fences this term, winning three Cheltenham races on the bounce.
His prominent run-style and immaculate jumping gets rivals under pressure and from a long way out he sees the intermediary trip out really well.
His effectiveness around the track gives him a real edge in a Turners, and there could easily be more to come so it’s going to take a high-class performance to stop him extending his winning run.
Stage Star – Ryanair Chase - 2.50 Thursday
Last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner took his form to a new level in winning the Paddy Power Gold on seasonal return.
Betting apps believe heavy ground is a valid excuse for his disappointing run back at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, with Harry Cobden probably wise in pulling him up.
If the horse that won the Paddy Power turns up in the Ryanair, then he’s going to give the likes of Banbridge and Envoi Allen a proper race.
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Captain Teague – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - 2.50 Friday
Already a Grade 1 winner thanks to his Challow Hurdle success in December and purposely kept fresh for Cheltenham since.
Connections are keeping their options open by keeping him in the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett, and much probably depends on how ground conditions play out in the build-up.
Overall level of form wouldn’t be good enough to win a festival novice race but it’s hard to believe there isn’t plenty more to come.
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