EDITOR'S CHOICE FATHER MOURNS A LOYAL SON WHO WENT OFF THE RAILS Father mourns a loyal son who went off the rails CORSHAM FESTIVAL NEWS Corsham Festival: Midnight Goggles ST JOHN'S PROM, MARLBOROUGH St Johns Prom PEWSEY VALE SCHOOL PROM Pewsey Vale Prom RIDGEWAY SCHOOL PROM, WROUGHTON Ridgeway Prom GRITTLETON HOUSE SCHOOL PROM Grittleton House VOTE Have you given up smoking because of the introduction of the smoking ban? Yes No I'm thinking about it GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Fire crew tackles Pewsey car blaze 2 Charity wants Wiltshire jumpers 3 What did the Romans ever do for us? 4 Compost ambassadors win carnival cup 5 Police raid Chippenham cannabis factory 6 Big dance events this weekend and beyond 7 Where you going? 8 Corsham kick-off title charge with home game 9 Calne handed clash with league newcomers 10 New boy Williams impressed by Bluebirds' ambition Today | 7 Days 1 Murder inquiry after Devizes stab victim dies 2 Teen arrest as dispute turns nasty 3 Sex attack in Devizes on teenager 4 Police appeal for calm 5 Warden in a dust-up 6 Doherty makes art for artery's sake 7 Devizes stab victim fighting for his life 8 Emotions run high after killing 9 Family's tribute to Barry Cooper 10 Another major incident in Devizes

Racing fans could do worse than take heed of 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 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.'' Next on parade was Denman, who has the box next 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 about novice chaser Predateur.

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 Punchestow.

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.

Other Nicholls horses to watch out for are Gungadu, Master Minded, Big Bucks and Hivikos.

11:45am Thursday 18th October 2007

Print

Email this