- Paul Nicholls will have 12 horses in action at three tracks on Wednesday
- Two miles round Kempton on goodish ground looks perfect for Matterhorn
- Veteran Truckers Lodge has enjoyed recent victories at Ffos Las and Sandown
Trainer Paul Nicholls has 12 horses in action on Wednesday, including Jackpot d’Athou in the 12.30 at Chepstow.
Other Nicholls-trained horses in action are Largy Poet, Truckers Lodge, Matterhorn, Kabral Du Mathan and Super Saint,
Here, Betfair ambassador Nicholls goes through 12 of his horses set to ride on Wednesday.
Paul Nicholls goes through 12 of his horses in action on Wednesday including Jackpot d’Athou
Chepstow
12:00 – Largy Poet
He was second on his debut in an Irish Point-to-Point in April and ran ok for us in a bumper at Ffos Las last month where he was keeping on at the finish. He has improved since then and will appreciate this step up in trip on his first starts over hurdles.
12:30 – Jackpot d’Athou
We bought him after an eye-catching run in October last year into second place in a bumper at in Durtal in Western France and he then showed promise in two more bumper races here before we gave him wind surgery in the summer. Jackpot d’Athou won impressively on his debut over hurdles at this course early last month. He is an improving young horse and I’m hopeful he can win again under a penalty.
13:05 – Quel Destin
He’s a proper mudlark and relished conditions when he won a two horse chase tidily at Fontwell recently wedding blinkers for the first time. Raised 2lbs for that success he should again be competitive provided Chepstow gets all the rain that is forecast.
14:50 – Complete Unknown
He improved all through last season and I was hopeful of a big run from him in the Coral Gold Cup a month ago until the ground at Newbury dried up in the days before the race.
He still ran respectably and will be much more at home on testing conditions at Chepstow. He jumps well and though he hasn’t tried this marathon trip before he has always shaped like a thorough stayer. He loves the mud.
14:50 – Truckers Lodge
Well into the veteran stage now, he is a regular in this race and has enjoyed quite a revival this year since slipping down the ratings. His victory in the West Wales National at Ffos Las in April was his first for three years and he was successful again in the London National at Sandown early this month with conditions in his favour.
Veteran Truckers Lodge (right) has enjoyed recent victories at Ffos Las and Sandown
Truckers Lodge seems in great form since then. He is only a few years younger than his teenage jockey Freddie Gingell who gets a cracking tune out of him and is such good value for his 5lbs claim. The more rain they get at Chepstow the better their chance.
15:55 – Kap Boy
He is a lovely type and was one of the first from our talented team of bumper horses to make a winning debut at this course on heavy going in mid October. He has come on for that run and has a nice chance again.
Kempton
12:45 – Matterhorn
He’s smart, has a high cruising speed, has won twice from the front at Taunton and the form of his recent second at the same track under a double penalty was advertised when the horse who beat him hacked up by 24 lengths next time. Matterhorn tackles his first handicap off a mark of 128 and I’d two miles round Kempton on goodish ground looks perfect for him.
15:09 – Enrilo
He has become increasingly frustrating and hasn’t won for almost three years but he ran with a bit of encouragement when keeping on to finish to Credo at Wincanton at the end of October when the softening ground was against him.
I’m hoping he can build on that provided they do not get too much rain at Kempton. Should the ground turn soft then he is unlikely to run. He will be going Hunter Chasing in the spring.
Wetherby
11:50 – Twinjets
We are still getting to know Twinjets who joined us six weeks ago and won impressively on his first start for us at Doncaster recently where he was strong at the finish. As he has to go left handed, he will be well suited by Wetherby and really should be winning again off a 9lbs higher mark against a sole opponent.
13:35 – Banteer
He is a long term project, a half brother to a couple of winning hurdles, and his last run was promising. I’m hopeful he is one of ours who will improve with experience.
Two miles round Kempton on goodish ground looks perfect for Matterhorn (above)
14:15 – Kabral Du Mathan
He’s having his first run for us having won a summer novice hurdle at Clairefontaine in France. That form looks decent with the third horse that day subsequently winning three times. Kabral Du Mathan jumps brilliantly at home and should have a lovely chance.
15:20 – Super Saint
Another recruit making his debut for us, he has a smart pedigree but he is one of our more backward bumper horses at this early stage of his career so I’d expect him to benefit for the run.
