Paul Nicholls Stable Tour

Form profile

135 rated hurdler. Completed a five-timer when beating Walks The Talk three and three quarter lengths in a novices’ hurdle at Musselburgh (3m) at the end of January. Finished eighth, beaten eight lengths, to Supremely West in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m) in March off his current mark.

Trainer says

Absolutely Doyen has been brilliant for us, and he has won five this season. Obviously, he is handicapped appropriately but he wouldn’t be totally unexposed like maybe a lot of the field in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Saturday. He ran very well in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and, I am not going to say he’s going to win but he probably has each-way chance.

Form profile

127 rated hurdler. Made a winning debut for the stable when beating Only One Blue three lengths in a handicap hurdle at Sandown (2m) in March off a mark of 122.

Trainer says

He came to us from Ireland and he won a Juvenile Handicap at Sandown very well and then ran another good race in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham. Sam Twiston-Davies rode him that day and was very happy with him. If he gets in the Conditional Jockeys/Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle on Friday, he should have a decent chance.

Form profile

143 rated chaser. Finished runner-up, beaten a neck, to Teddy Blue on his latest outing in a handicap chase at Kempton (2m 4 1/2f) in March off a mark of 141.

Trainer says

He is obviously in the Grade 1 two and a half miles Novices’ Chase on the Thursday. Look, it's a big assignment for the horse but he's got very good hurdle form from last year. There's obviously only five runners but you've got the likes of Lulamba in it so it's going to be very tricky. However, he's in good form at home.

Form profile

136 rated hurdler. Finished sixth, beaten 19 ½ lengths, to Fiercely Proud in a handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m 3 1/2f) in February off a mark of 138.

Trainer says

Captain Teague had some very good form a couple of year back and he won the Challow Hurdle. He looked a champion then and lost a way a little but if he replicates a bit of old form he could go pretty well in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle on Friday.

Form profile

131 rated chaser. Made a winning reappearance on his Hunter Chase bow at Warwick (3m) in January when beating Paul Marvel six lengths and followed up with an 11-length victory from Haven’t Time in a similar event at Taunton (2m 7f) the following month. Ran a creditable race in the Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham (3m 2 1/2f) in March when fourth, beaten 14 lengths, to Barton Snow.

Trainer says

Olive Nicholls will ride him in the Foxhunters' and he’s a lovely horse whose been flying at home. I think he could give Olive a lovely spin in the Foxhunters' and should be there or thereabouts. I think the two mile and five trip will suit him on a bit of good ground and he doesn’t lack speed that for sure.

Form profile

153 rated chaser. Gained a well deserved success in the Old Roan Handicap Chase at AIntree (2m 4f) on his reappearance in October when beating Master Chewy two lengths off a mark of 153.

Trainer says

He has been a loyal servant for the stable and he did win the Old Roan at the start of the season that everyone was delighted to see. He’ll love the track and the trip in the Topham and George, who rides him at home every day, is very happy with him.

Form profile

144 rated hurdler. Completed a hat trick over hurdles when beating Klimt Madrik a length and a quarter in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury (2m 4 1/2f) in December but pulled up before the last when favourite for the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 5f) in March when squeezed out at the start and experiencing a bumpy passage throughout the race.

Trainer says

He is obviously one of our best horses and he’ll have a great chance in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle first time up to three miles. There’s no doubt he’ll get the trip bit I just think we would need a bit of rain for him to run. He’s a big horse who hits the ground hard even though he won on decent ground at Newbury and we’ll just have to see what the weather does.

Form profile

162 rated chaser. Winner of the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase at Ascot (2m 5f) in 2024 (beating L’Homme Presse five lengths) and 2025 (scoring by 10 lengths from Corbetts Cross) and failed by only a length and a half behind Jonbon when bidding for the hat-trick in February on his latest start.

Trainer says

He is in the Bowl on Thursday and there are only five runners, but he deserves his shot at it. He is not getting any younger, but he arguably put up a career best against Jonbon at Ascot. He has been in good order at home, and we took him to Lambourn to gallop last week and he worked again at home on Tuesday morning. Fingers crossed, he can give a good account of himself.

Form profile

129 rated hurdler. Finished fourth, beaten six and a quarter lengths, to Saratoga in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) in March off a mark of 128.

Trainer says

He has three entries at the meeting, and I think Paul is going to have a look at the entries and decide but I think, ideally, we would like to run him in the Conditional Jockeys/Amateur Riders race on Friday. He was another horse to run a great race at Cheltenham when fourth in the Fred Winter so we would have to fancy our chances.

Form profile

145 rated chaser. Finished third, beaten seven lengths, to Meetmebythesea in the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in March off his current mark.

Trainer says

He is in the Mildmay on Friday and stepping up in trip to three miles - we always thought that could unlock a bit more improvement. He ran well at Aintree last year when beaten only half a length but a very good horse in Honest Policy in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and he’s in great order at home. He’s much more settled and relaxed as he gets more mature with each run. Fingers crossed, he can get settled with Harry (Cobden) on board and is probably one of our best chances of the weekend.

Form profile

133 rated chaser. Winner of the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree (2m) in April 2024 when beating Saint Roi four lengths off a mark of 130 and returned to winning form when beating Calico in the same race in 2025 off the same mark. Finished fourth, beaten nine and three quarter lengths, to Highlands Legacy on his latest outing at Windsor (2m) in January off a mark of 135.

Trainer says

Sans Bruit is going for the hat trick in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. He’s been fairly consistent all year but a bit of spring ground and the sun on his back seems to make him come alive. He is only 3lb higher than when winning last year and it is probably slightly less competitive so there’s no reason he should be there or thereabouts.

Form profile

130 rated hurdler. Has won both of his starts over hurdles - beating Kings Champion in a novice at Taunton (2m 3f) in February and The Big Clubman in a similar event at Newbury (2m 4 1/2f).

Trainer says

He is obviously in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle along with No Drama This End and I think he will almost certainly run. He’s obviously got a bit to find on the ratings but he’s improving all the time, and he is one of those where you don’t know where his ceiling might be. He might have gone a little bit under the radar and I’m quietly confident he’ll run a big race.

Form profile

141 rated chaser. Has finished runner-up in four of his five races this term and won the other when beating Bective Abbey a length and a quarter in a handicap chase at Kempton (3m) over Christmas off a mark of 136. Beaten two and a half lengths by Califet En Vol in a handicap chase at Kempton (2m 4 1/2f) in February off a mark of 140.

Trainer says

He worked brilliantly on Tuesday morning and he is in the Topham. Olive rides him and gets on great with him. He’s coming here from two very good runs at Kempton and is in great order at home.