Nicholls reveals Denman had wind op after Hennessy

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Nicholls favours Finale bid for Sam Winner

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Big Buck's will go straight for World Hurdle - Nicholls

Big Buck's: will follow the same route Paul Nicholls mapped out last year

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)  Big Buck's heads straight for Festival - Nicholls
 By Racing Post staff 1:14PM 4 JAN2011 BIG BUCK'S, the odds-on favourite for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, will sidestep a bid for the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle and head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Paul Nicholls has revealed.

RELATED LINKS World Hurdle betting Free bets  Nicholls on Tuesday said that he had opted to give the two-time World Hurdle winner a break before his attempt at a third consecutive win in the Grade 1 staying hurdle championship, for which he is a 4-7 shot.

 

The move reflects the campaign Nicholls mapped out for Big Buck's last year, who followed his win in the Long Walk Hurdle in December with victories at Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April.

The trainer said: "Andy

Dulcote Does Nicholls Proud

On a red-letter day for champion trainer Paul Nicholls on which he sent out a stunning 96/1 four-timer at Newbury, the victory of Pride of Dulcote in the four-runner Bathwick Tyres Supports Heros Mandarin Graduation Chase may well have given the Ditcheat handler the most pleasure, writes Elliot Slater.

Those looking at cheltenham tips note that the second Nicholls winner of the afternoon, (following Ghizao, and preceding Rock On Ruby and the awesome Big Bucks), Pride of Dulcote had been off the track for over 14 months and was taking on the high-class Punchestowns, (from whom he was receiving 3lbs), but showed no ring-rustiness and is reported to have jumped well throughout, before holding on gamely on the Newbury run-in to beat Nicky Henderson’s runner by a neck. The 140

Nicholls 'could not be happier' with Denman

Denman winning the Hennessy from What A Friend 12 months ago

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  Nicholls: I couldn't be happier with Denman
 By James Burn 6:00PM 22 NOV 2010 CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls plans to field five runners in his bid for a fourth Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday and said he "couldn't be happier" with top-weight Denman, who is attempting to win the prestigious handicap for the third time.

RELATED LINKS Hennessy card Hennessy betting Gold Cup betting Free bets  The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was on Monday joined by stablemates Neptune Collonges, Taranis, The Tother One and Niche Market as 20 horses remained at the latest forfeit stage for the Hennessy, with Denman no bigger than 4-1.

 

Weird Al, Pandorama and Burton Point, Denman's main rivals according to the betting, also stood their ground, but they will forced to run from out of the handicap, and Nicholls is in optimistic mood because of that.

He said: "Of course he's got it all to do on Saturday off 11st 12lb and an 8lb higher mark than last year, but that will be offset to a degree by a lot of the runners being out of the handicap."

Nicholls, who won the Hennessy twice as a jockey, added: "We know he loves Newbury, he loves the hustle and bustle of the Hennessy and he seems to come good at this time of year. I couldn't be happier with him."

Denman, who will be ridden by Sam Thomas, is a best-priced 12-1 to regain his Gold Cup crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but those odds will shorten if he lands a record-breaking third Hennessy.

Nicholls is also set to unleash dual Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Big Buck's in the Sportingbet.com Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday and that race was re-opened on Monday.

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Nicholls to rely on What A Friend in Betfair Chase

Sir Alex Ferguson: part owner

  PICTURE: Getty Images  "After Haydock, his main objective of the season will be the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We didn't aim him at Cheltenham last season because we wanted to give him a bit of time to mature but it is definitely his long-term target this time around.

"Denman and Kauto Star will not be heading to Haydock but Noland is a slight possibility for the Betfair Chase. I have just had a little temporary hold-up with him and I would want him bang on when he runs.

"It's pointless if horses need a run after they have been off for a while and we might need another fortnight with him. I am trying to find a race for him and will have to discuss it with (owner) John Hales, so it's 99 per cent certain that What A Friend will be our only representative."

The Betfair Chase is the highlight of the two-day Northwest Masters, which concludes on Sunday, November 21 at Aintree.

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Haldon Gold Cup One-Two for Nicholls

Posted by Leigh on November 2, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Trainer Paul Nicholls scored a one-two in the Grade Two totesport.com Haldon Gold Cup Chase (Limited Handicap) at Exeter on Tuesday, when Tchico Polos scored the victory over runner up and stable mate Twist Magic.

Paul Nicholls Tips What A Friend

If you want to get ahead of the game this year and maybe go out on a limb with some ante-post betting to take advantage of the better odds then here’s one that should interest you…

Paul Nicholls writes exclusively for Betfair Bookmakers and over the weekend he posted an article on his Top 10 horses to keep an eye on over the forthcoming jumps season and the tip that really popped out was on What A Friend – more commonly known as ‘Alex Ferguson’s Horse’.

And I quote “Had a light campaign, swerving the Gold Cup. But he won the Lexus and the Totesport Bowl after finishing second in the Hennessy. He has had a breathing operation and where he goes depends on what we do with Denman. He could start off in the Betfair Chase or the Hennessy, but he will be aimed at Gold Cup. A serious horse.” Ok, so I bolded the last bit but you get the drift.

Even this far ahead, Nicholls is tipping What A Friend for Cheltenham but, and here’s my very strong warning, last year saw the entire country come to a standstill in a Denman Vs Kauto Star showdown only to see neither of them win, which frankly, in hindsight was almost inevitable given the epic build-up, much to Nigel Twiston-Davies delight!

So, if you’re willing to take a punt then What A Friend for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup is currently trading at about 14/1 on both Paddy Power Bookmakers and Betfair Bookmakers…

Tags: cheltenham gold cup 2011, Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds, cheltenham gold cup tips, Paul Nicholls Horse Trainer, Paul Nicholls Tips, What A Friend HorseShare

Dettori and Nicholls Bring Home the Gold

Posted by Leigh on September 18, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

With a back to back victories for jockey Frankie Dettori and giving trainer Dandy Nicholls his sixth winner in the event, Redford has given a strong performance to score a victory in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup.