Racing fans could do worse than take heed of some wise words from champion trainer Paul Nicholls who paraded some of his stable's stars, together with some talented types to keep an eye on in the future, at a recent press day at his Ditcheat base in Somerset.

Leading the parade was Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star who looked magnificent.

There is not too much to say about Kauto Star, everyone knows what he achieved last season,'' said Nicholls.

He is still only seven years old, there is no reason why he should be different from last year. We are very happy with him and the plan is to go to Aintree with him on Sunday week. If the ground is not right he won't go but if its decent that's the intention.'' Next on parade was stable mate Denman, who has the box next door to Kauto Star, God knows what they will be talking about all season,'' said Nicholls. They have always been next to each other. However, he's a different horse altogether, a lot heavier horse and a hard horse to get fit, this lad takes a load of work and one of the hardest tasks we have is getting him ready. He will go for the Charlie Hall Chase and it would be quite hard to get him at his best first time out.

After that he is definitely going to be an entry in the Hennessy Gold Cup, and if he gets top weight it shouldn't bother him he's a big strong horse.'' Next up was Taranis, winner of the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.

He's only six and keeps on improving, jumps well and should have no problem getting three miles,'' said Nicholls. He is likely to begin his season in a handicap hurdle before heading for the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon and defending his Cheltenham Crown. He will also have an entry for the King George.'' Notebooks were at the ready as the champion trainer spoke in glowing terms of novice chaser Predateur who could be one to follow this season.

A winner over hurdles at Taunton and fourth to Triumph hurdle winner Katchit, the four year old will be making his debut in a novice chase probably at Exeter at the end of the month. He has schooled well over fences and has the size and scope to be a chaser,'' said Nicholl.

Neptune Collonges won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last year and had his best day when he won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown in April.

He finished eighth in the Gold Cup, a big galloping track suits him, but he could be hard to place and could well make a trip or two to Ireland,'' said the trainer.Gungadu, a winner at Cheltenham in a novice chase went on to win the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot and was sent off favourite for the four mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival where he fell two out when holding a decent chance.

"He's a nice horse to run in staying chases and could be a Grand National horse one day, He will probably have a couple of runs over hurdles early on to get his confidence up and perhaps the Badger Chase at our local track Wincanton would be a likely race and he couls also go for the Welsh National at Chepstow."

A new horse to the yard named Master Minded, he's only a four year old and had his first run over hurdles in France and won and ended up winning two chases.

The problem we got is that we can't run him in novice hurdles or chases, so where to start him off. There is a graduation chase coming up at Exeter the middle of December for horses who have not won more than two chases which could be a perfect start for him. I think he's an exciting horse for the future."

Another for the notebook is Big Bucks, the trainer said.

He's a four-year-old who won twice in France last winter and will go novice chasing probably starting in a beginners chase somewhere and would like to think he's a horse for the Arkle.

Next on parade was Hivikos. He's a horse to keep an eye,'' said Nicholls.

A big strong four year old, placed twice in France, he will go novice hurdling this year and win his races and go novice chasing next year, he's a lovely horse and got the stamp to make a good chaser one day.'' With around 130 horses to train once again Paul Nicholls would look to have Champion Trainer written all over him once again.

Very up front he tells it as it is and jumping fans could well make a note of some of the above horses he advised Gazette readers to follow.