Paul Nicholls Stable Tour

Form profile

149-rated chaser. Gained his only success last season when scoring by three and half lengths from Just A Sting at Kempton’s (3m) Christmas meeting.

Trainer says

He won a valuable handicap chase at Kempton over Christmas and went on to finish third in the 888Sport Handicap Chase over the same course and distance in February and is best going right-handed. He will probably start off in the Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase over three miles at Ascot in November in which he finished fourth last season.

Form profile

Impressive winner of his bumper at Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National meeting and subsequently ninth, beaten 17 ½ lengths, to Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Champion bumper at Cheltenham in March.

Trainer says

He is a real nice horse and won very at Chepstow before running too free in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He probably wasn’t ready for that and we think he is a smart horse who jumping is excellent. I really like him, and he will be a smart novice hurdler this season.

Form profile

163-rated chaser. A model of consistency and gained reward for several honourable efforts when beating Gold Present 11 lengths in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (2m 6 ½f) in April.

Trainer says

He is just amazingly consistent and keeps on running good races. I would imagine he will start off in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and go from there. He’s isn’t the easiest horse in the world to place but he rarely runs a bad race.

Form profile

Winner of his only point-to-point in Ireland in March.

Trainer says

He’s a lovely horse who was bought at the Cheltenham Festival Sale. He goes very nicely and he will stay in bumpers this season. He is a big horse and Paul will be in no rush with him and you won’t see the best of him until he jumps.

Form profile

Winner of his only Irish point-to-point in March.

Trainer says

He is another who won his only point-to-point in Ireland and was bought at the Cheltenham Festival Sale last year. He is a really beautiful horse who missed last season with a slight injury but it could be the making of him. He’s a fine big horse now and does everything well and we look forward to running him. He should be out in November and he will want two and a half miles plus in the end. He is a big galloping horse and not fast but the type that will be running over three miles over fences at some stage of his life.

Form profile

148-rated hurdler. Scored by a head from Honest Vic in a handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m 3 1/2f) in February off a mark of 141.

Trainer says

He is a horse we really like, and he has only had one completed start over fences and won. That makes life slightly difficult over fences, but he may have one run over hurdles before going for the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 16. He ran very well when fourth in the Coral Cup so hopefully he will have another good year.

Form profile

143-rated chaser. Gained his third success of last season when beating Tree Of Liberty half a length at Ludlow (2m) in December off a mark of 133.

Trainer says

He did very well last year and is a solid horse. He will need to improve to win off his handicap mark of 143 but may well do. He went on from being a Summer horse last year and just kept on running. The break has done him good and he might start off in the Haldon Gold Cup but there are plenty of other options for him.

Form profile

140-rated chaser. Ended his season with a length and a half victory from Station Master in a novices’ chase at Fontwell (3m 2f) in April.

Trainer says

He is a grand honest chaser who did well last year and improved over fences. He is a big horse who stays well, and you would like to think he would be the sort of horse for a Welsh or Midlands National. He doesn’t do anything quickly but is stronger this season for sure and he is a grand horse.

Form profile

142-rated hurdler. Dual Grade 3 Chase winner in France. Finished runner-up, beaten two and a half lengths, to Old Jeroboam at Worcester (2m) on Thursday.

Trainer says

He is lovely horse who goes very nicely and started off in a novice hurdle at Worcester on Thursday where he ran a solid race in what looked a decent contest. I would be shocked if he wasn’t up to winning – he is a very good jumper.

Form profile

140-rated hurdler. Successful in novice events at Fontwell (2m 1 1/2f) in February (beating Flaminger seven lengths) and Newbury (2m 1/2f) in March (scoring by eight lengths from Zizaneur).

Trainer says

He is an interesting horse who came off the flat and won nicely at Fontwell and Newbury and ran a good third in the Grade 1 at Aintree. He was probably over the top when he ran at Haydock and he travels very strongly, and his hurdling has been good. You would like to think that off his mark of 140 a nice handicap hurdle would be within his grasp.

Form profile

170-rated chaser. Had his finest hour when beating Thistlecrack a length and a half in the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton (3m) in December.

Trainer says

He is a very good horse and my belief is that he is an awful lot better horse going right than left and evidence suggests that is the case. He could start off at Down Royal but all roads lead to the King George at Kempton. He looks superb and seems in excellent form and with horses like him you just hope it a matter of maintaining their form.

Form profile

176-rated chaser. Improved massively after his first two starts last season and took a handicap chase at Ascot (2m 5f) in January by 21 lengths from Doitforthevillage before scoring by 17 lengths from Waiting Patiently in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over the same course and distance in February.

Trainer says

He is going to start off at Ascot in the 2m 5f Grade 2 in November and he seems very, very well. He took a couple of runs last year to get into top form and you would like to think that if he runs well at Ascot then the King George VI Chase would be the plans. He is clearly an exceptionally talented horse and we are very excited about him. He always had a huge amount of talent but wouldn’t relax but he become a man now and is relaxed in his races.

Form profile

129-rated hurdler. Winner twice last season and scored by seven lengths from Double Treasure on her final start at Fontwell (2m 5 1/2f) in April.

Trainer says

She did well last year and was continually placed in some good race and won two as well. She will start off on Badger Ales Day at Wincanton – there is a £25,000 mares’ handicap hurdle over two and a half miles. She was very good around Wincanton last year and how she runs there will determine whether we stay over hurdles or go novice chasing. She is a grand mare who will lots of races and give her syndicate lots of fun.

Form profile

150-rated chaser. Chasing Altior’s shadow in four of his 5 starts last season and was fifth, beaten 54 lengths in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in April.

Trainer says

He was slightly disappointing last year but to be honest he was between a rock and a hard place. Even now he is rated 150 and he was running behind Altior who is rated 175 and life was very difficult for him. Paul was keen to try him over two and a half miles and he has had a breathing operation in the summer which I think would have helped. He is in great form and generally a flat track and nice ground has suited him so if we get those conditions then there is hopefully a nice race in him.

Form profile

157-rated chaser. Won four of his five novice chases last season and gained his most prestigious success in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in December when beating Ornua a length and three quarters. Went onto take the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster (2m 1/2f) in January by three and a half lengths from Ballywood.

Trainer says

I suspect you won’t see him until after Christmas. He is absolutely fine, but we might run out of time before then. Chasing was the making of him last season and he was a brilliant jumper. He looks big and well and I would imagine he could return in the Game Spirit at Newbury – I know that Paul isn’t going to rush him.

Form profile

Showed promise in two runs in graded company finishing sixth, beaten 12 ¾ lengths, to Pentland Hills in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March on the latter occasion.

Trainer says

He finished sixth in the Adonis at Kempton and sixth in the Triumph and to be honest we were always on the back foot with him last season. He was gelded and he never looked as good as he could, but he has come back from the summer looking fantastic. We are very pleased with him and he will probably start in an ordinary novice then we will work our way up. I imagine you will see a vastly improved horse from last year and where we end up, we will have to wait and see. He is a nice horse and goes very well at home. He should start in the next three weeks.

Form profile

Unraced

Trainer says

He is a beautiful horse – a four-year-old by Saddle Maker who did everything right in the spring. He might go for a racecourse gallop somewhere in the near future and I imagine that he will start in a bumper in late October/November time. He is a horse who will run over a trip over fences at some stage in his life. He won’t run over hurdles this season and is a lovely long-term prospect and a nice horse to follow.

Form profile

Unraced

Trainer says

He is very similar to Flash Collonges and a beautiful horse. A big galloping type who will run in a couple of bumpers this season. In two or three years’ time you will see a lovely horse over fences.

Form profile

128-rated hurdler. Gained his second success over hurdles when beating Tilson six lengths at Chepstow (2m) in April.

Trainer says

It was a shame we didn’t get in the Fred Winter last March as he didn’t stay two miles a few weeks later. I would imagine we would stay in handicap hurdles this season with him. The four/five-year-old season as you are a little in between but he is off 128 which I think he is capable of but he hasn’t fully filled into his frame yet. I would be more excited about him next year when he is going two-mile novice chasing.

Form profile

169-rated chaser. Went from strength to strength last season and won four of his five starts culminating in a length and a quarter victory from Aso in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in March.

Trainer says

What can you say about him! I think he should be knighted. The yard absolutely love him and he will start off in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree. Paul might think about a Betfair Chase or a Peterborough Chase but there are loads of places to go with him. He shocked us with what he did last year but he might well shock us again as he is in great form and we are very happy with him.

Form profile

155-rated hurdler. Ended last season with a two and three quarter length win from Harambe in the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown (2m) in April off a mark of 147.

Trainer says

I think he is a very good horse and I am delighted we are going chasing with him. The backend of last year he was very good and when he came back in, he looked very big and he is taking plenty of getting fit. He will improve for his first run as he did last season, but he is a novice chaser who I think will take high ranking in our group. I think he will start over two miles as he is not short of pace and won round Ayr on good ground. He is a real strong traveller and I think he is a real smart horse and I am really excited about him.

Form profile

142-rated chaser. Finished fourth, beaten 29 lengths, to Talkischeap in the Grade 3 bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Sandown (3m 5f) in April off a mark of 143.

Trainer says

We have always thought a lot about him, and he hasn’t had the best of luck through his career. He ran a lovely race at Sandown first time out when he was a bit fresh and Harry (Cobden) came in and said this is a serious horse. Things never went right for him at Cheltenham and then he ran another good race in the bet365. He is off 142 and we have had a clear run with him this season and he could win a good handicap chase somewhere.

Form profile

152-rated hurdler. Scored four times over hurdles last season and gained his most important success in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton (1m 7 1/2f) in February when beating Sceau Royal three quarters of a length.

Trainer says

He improved beyond all recognition last year and he is a tough horse. We are going to go chasing with him and he was quite a keen horse and hopefully fences might chill him out a little bit. We will start him off over two miles and see how we get on. Most of ours improve over fences and he has the size and scope to jump them. He looks the sort to look forward too.

Form profile

Winner of his bumper at Fontwell in the spring.

Trainer says

He will be a grand staying hurdler. He won his bumper at Fontwell basically as he has a great attitude. He has strengthened up well through the summer and done really well. I think he will get better with racing.

Form profile

140-rated hurdler. Won a handicap hurdle at Wincanton (2m 5 1/2f) on her reappearance in November of last year when beating Litterale Ci five lengths off a mark of 131 and several good efforts after. Comfortable six-length victor from Love Lane in a mares’ novices’ chase at Worcester (2m 4f) on Thursday.

Trainer says

She ran to a high level of form last season barring one disappointing run at Cheltenham. She started her novice chasing career at Worcester on Thursday and took to it like a duck to water. She won well and she wouldn’t want heavy ground but there will plenty of opportunities for her.

Form profile

148-rated chaser. At his most impressive when beating Gino Trail four and a half lengths at Wincanton (1m 7 1/2f) in February.

Trainer says

He was a bit disappointing at Cheltenham as we all fancied him, and he did everything right but just didn’t finish. Paul thought it was his wind that was stopping him, so he has had a breathing operation. He runs off 148 now and if he makes up into the horse we thought he could be then he will keep on improving, but he does need too.

Form profile

Winner of three of his four bumpers and end last season with a length victory from Thebannerkingrebel in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April.

Trainer says

He is a horse we think an awful lot of, and he was a very good bumper horse. I think he will come into his own over hurdles and he could be anything. He is very classy, and his jumping has been good and I think he will be horse who will stay well. He is a really smart animal and I am very much looking forward to him.

Form profile

127-rated hurdler. Formerly trained by Fergal O’Brien and finished runner-up, beaten 10 lengths, to Mcnamaras Band on his final start at Chepstow (2m 3 1/2f) in March.

Trainer says

We haven’t had him a great deal of time and we don’t know a huge amount about him. His jumping has been good so far and he has fitted in grand, but I can’t say too much about him, but he should go and win his races.

Form profile

Winner of his only juvenile hurdle at Auteuil in May.

Trainer says

We really like him, and he obviously won at Auteuil. All is good and he schooled nicely the other day and could start off at Cheltenham in November. He looks a smart juvenile and he has done everything right since he arrived. Everything he does at home suggests he will be a smart juvenile.

Form profile

146-rated hurdler. Placed in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company at Auteuil and finished 10th, beaten 21 lengths, to Pentland Hills in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in March.

Trainer says

He had smart three-year-old form in France, and we got him over at a weird time of year and ran him in the Triumph and we looked back and thought maybe we should have run him there. It hasn’t done him harm and it has to be decide whether to stay over hurdles or fences but whatever he is, he is a very smart horse and he can do better over further than two miles.

Form profile

166-rated chaser. Scored by half a length from Charbel in a Grade 2 Chase at Ascot (2m 5f) in November and best effort after when runner-up, beaten a length and three quarters, to Altior in the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham (2m) in March.

Trainer says

He is a smashing horse and he has had a breathing operation this summer which we think he needed. He is going to start off in the Shloer Chase and then go for the Tingle Creek all being well. He is just a rock-solid Grade 1 horse and if Altior goes up in trip that will help Politologue. He is really good form this season, and we are very happy with him.

Form profile

142-rated hurdler. Winner of four of her 6 starts last season and gained her last success in a listed novices’ hurdle at Taunton (2m 1/2f) when beating Indefatigable two lengths.

Trainer says

She’s a lovely mare and we can wait to see her jump fences. I would imagine two and a half plus would be her trip. I know she was doing well over two miles last year, but I can see a real improvement for a trip and fences will be great for her. She runs at Chepstow on Saturday and is something to look forward to.

Form profile

142-rated hurdler. Won five of his seven starts after joining the stable from France and gained his most prestigious success in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow (2m) in December when beating Adjali a neck.

Trainer says

He is in grand form and is a really nice horse but the four-year-old/five-year-old season is always difficult. He may have a run over hurdles and then we will decide whether to go chasing. I think he will a appreciate a step up in trip this year.

Form profile

150-rated chaser. Landed a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Ayr (2m 4 1/2f) in April when scoring by three and three quarter lengths from Louis’ Vac Pouch.

Trainer says

He is a genuine grand honest horse who did well last season. He is ready to go and runs in a listed novices’ chase at Chepstow on Saturday. The best thing we did to him last season was drop him back to two and a half and let him race from the front. He loves being in front and he is a high-class horse rated 150 now. That’s a fair level of form and there should be plenty of nice races in him this season.

Form profile

Winner of two of her four bumpers and gained her last success at Ascot in February when beating My Dreamer three quarters of a length.

Trainer says

She is a nice bumper horse and she is a very good jumper. She will start in a mares’ novices at Chepstow on Friday and I think she will win. She is a smart horse and her jumping is excellent and she was always going to be better over further than two miles.

Form profile

Winner of one of his 2 bumpers. Scored by a neck from Stolen Silver at Chepstow in April.

Trainer says

He is a bit like Flemenstide and Flash Collonges and just a year ahead. He did well to win his bumper at Chepstow as bumpers are not his scene. He will be a staying novice hurdler and he will improve for his first couple of runs as his jumping has just taken a little time to come right. He is a real nice horse, but he isn’t going to be seen anywhere near his best until he jumps fences.

Form profile

142-rated hurdler. A winner three times over hurdles last season and gained his most prestigious success in the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton (2m) in February when scoring by three quarter of a length from Angels Breath.

Trainer says

He did well last season the highlight when winning the Dovecote at Kempton. He is going to go chasing and has the size and scope to do it. His schooling has been fine, and he will be ready in two or three weeks. He is another horse to look forward to.

Form profile

130-rated hurdler. Off the mark over hurdles at Wincanton (2m 4f) in March when beating Colditz Castle seven lengths.

Trainer says

He runs in the Persian War at Chepstow today. He is a smart horse and I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. I think he will go very well in the Persian War and I can’t wait to see him go over fences in time and he is a typical stamp of a horse that Paul Nicholls loves – a big strong horse who will jump fences really well.

Form profile

130-rated hurdler. A winner twice last season over hurdles and gained his last success in a handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m 7 1/2f) in February when scoring by half a length from Trixster.

Trainer says

He won staying hurdles at Taunton and Ascot last season but scared us as he only does enough when he is in front. He will go novice chasing and is an honest horse who will come into his own over three miles plus.

Form profile

Finished third, beaten a length and three quarters, to Emitom in his second bumper at Ascot in November.

Trainer says

He ran third in a decent bumper last year and it worked out quite well. He will go novice hurdling and I would expect he would want two and a half miles. He is a nice horse and, again, he is a chaser in the making.