Paul Nicholls: The views on my five runners at Ascot and Wetherby today

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

"This won’t be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I’m sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and theclass horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through."

It's a busy Saturday for Paul Nicholls with runners at no less than four meetings, and here the Betfair Ambassador talks exclusively about his five chances at Ascot and Wetherby...

13:30 Wetherby - Solar Impulse

Rounded off last season with a good win at Chepstow and I was pleased with his chasing debut at Newton Abbot. Okay, he was beaten at odds-on in a three-runner race, but the outing would have done him the world of good in terms of fitness and experience. That would have been the first time that he had jumped a fence on grass. So while a mark of 135 is plenty high enough on the bare form of that second, I'd hope that he can progress and be competitive here.

13:45 Ascot - Keltus

Proved himself a decent juvenile hurdler last season but hopefully he will develop into a better chaser, and I was certainly encouraged by his second to Court Minstrel on his debut at Newton Abbot, where he jumped nicely. The winner is clearly a smart horse, following up at Cheltenham next time, and I think a mark of 131 is fair. And the step up in trip will suit him, too, as will the ground. Has a good chance.

14:20 Ascot - Ulck Du Lin

Has won over course and distance but that was in heavy ground and I think that he may just struggle today on this faster ground over this trip. But at least he came down the weights last season and has Sean taking 7lb off - and he had his palate cauterised in the summer, too - so you never know.  

15:15 Wetherby - Silviniaco Conti

He is fit enough to do himself justice and he tends to go pretty well when fresh anyway, as he showed when winning this race two years ago. But, with bigger prizes ahead, he will obviously be better for the run and last year showed us that we want to be going into the Betfair Chase with an outing under our belt.

This won't be easy as he has a 10lb penalty today, and I'm sure others in here have targeted this race more and will be fitter than us, but he is a three-time Grade 1 and King George winner and the class horse of the race and hopefully that will see him through.

Even though he clearly enjoyed a very successful time of it, his runs at the back-end puzzled me a bit, and we did find that he was suffering from ulcers when we scoped him after Aintree. But, regardless, he is the one they have to worry about here. I suspect we will see a much fitter Taquin Du Seuil than we saw at Newton Abbot and he could the one for us to beat, though two or three in here will probably be fancying their chances against us first time up.

15:35 Asco - Black Thunder

Needed the run pretty badly on his reappearance at Newton Abbot and will strip a lot fitter today. But in my opinion I still feel that he is handicapped up to the hilt, and ideally he wouldn't want the ground to dry up too much more. You clearly can't write him off, as he is a very smart chaser on his day. but I suspect that he may need to come down in the weights and softer ground to be seen to better effect. Maybe in something like the Hennessy, but we will see.

Amazon Watches Center

Timeform Daily: Sunday, 15:35 Wetherby

"Twirling Magnet beat Savant Bleu at Newbury early last month, and looks capable of confirming that form even if the latter bounces back from a poor run later that month..."

Timeform analyse a handicap chase on Sunday's card at Wetherby...

Time For Spring was all out to hold on off 4 lb lower at Sandown in November, and not repeated that form in 3 runs since. No sign of a revival after a break at Taunton early this month, and passed over again.

Twirling Magnet is a bumper/novice hurdle winner who confirmed promise of first 2 starts over fences when landing 2¾m Newbury handicap with a bit to spare last month. More to come if staying this longer trip.

Savant Bleu broke his chasing duck by beating Arbeo at Fakenham in December, and good second to Twirling Magnet at Newbury next time. Went as if amiss on latest start, but claims if bouncing back.

Rich Lord finished placed for fourth time since 21f Carlisle handicap win when a keeping-on second at Ayr (2½m) in January, but disappointing both outings since, and let down by jumping at Newcastle last time.

Acrai Rua put up a gritty performance from the front to resume winning ways at Carlisle (3¼m) recently, but needs to scale greater heights to defy subsequent 9 lb rise. Pulled-up at Perth on Friday.

Everaard is a Musselburgh specialist who gained first win away from that venue in 25f handicap hurdle at Catterick in February. Ran a stinker last time, however, and looks high in the weights back over fences.

Frank The Slink took well to chasing initially, winning 21f handicap at Carlisle in March 2012. Has run poorly on either side of an 10 month break since, though, and needs to prove his well-being now.

Blazing Bull was a winning pointer who has picked up progressive thread in handicap chases this spring, and in control some way out when completing hat-trick over C&D earlier this month. Not reached his limit yet.

Western Gale cashed in off reduced mark over C&D in April 2011, but showed little in race won by Blazing Bull here on return from lengthy absence recently (struggling when unseating). Left alone now.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Twirling Magnet
2. Blazing Bull
3. Savant Bleu

Timeform Verdict: Twirling Magnet beat Savant Bleu at Newbury early last month, and looks capable of confirming that form even if the latter bounces back from a poor run later that month. A bigger danger will come from Blazing Bull, who had a ton in hand when winning over C&D last time, and hasn't stopped improving. 

Get open access to Timeform data for just £2.50 a day with Timeform Race Passes. It's like a Form Book, Black Book & Race Card all in one! Find Out More!

There are no comments on this article.

Product reviews and advice for best reference

Wetherby Placepot: Saturday February 2

"Super Duty was a useful novice hurdler last term and looks set to be an even better chaser, getting off the mark over fences with an impressive success at Cheltenham in December..."

Timeform's Matt Gardner heads to Wetherby hopeful of a Placepot windfall...

13:00 - Renoyr, formerly trained by Elizabeth Doyle in Ireland, showed much improved form on debut for current connections when getting off the mark at Doncaster in December, travelling smoothly and being value for more than the five length winning margin. A 10 lb rise for that win looks to leave him well treated still and he seems sure to go well in an attempt to follow up but it is also worth sticking in Embsay Crag, who shaped well on return from a six month absence over C&D on his latest outing and is likely to come on for that run. 

13:35 - Hunter chases are never easy and, with just two places to aim, at this contest is no different but we ought to progress by including both Palypso de Creek and Special Portrait. The former showed fair form when placed in all four outings in this sphere last year and added another point win to his tally when scoring for his new yard last month, whilst Special Portrait was prolific in hunter chases in 2012, winning four on the bounce, and it is possible that he was in need of the run at Kelso last time having been off the track for nine months. 

14:10 - Mister Bricolage shaped encouragingly prior to falling heavily at Exeter on his hurdling debut but, of those to the fore of the market, preference is for Big Society, who got off the mark over timber at the third attempt last time despite the two miles and three furlongs faced that day seeming inadequate; the return to this sort of trip ought to suit and he remains open to improvement. Taking a bit of a flyer on Wolf Shield could pay dividend, with it worth bearing in mind the promise he demonstrated in bumpers. He shaped as if needing the run on his hurdling debut at this venue in October, not being knocked about in the straight, and he strikes as the type to do better at some stage. 

14:45 - With likely favourite Arkdilly Witness a non-runner we have just two places to aim at, but we have a decent chance of doubling up with Farmer Matt and War On. The first mentioned has progressed well since being switched to handicaps, winning at Exeter and Ascot on his last two starts, and he could have yet more to offer whilst War On, who made the frame four times in Irish points last year, got off the mark in this sphere at this venue in November and seems likely to stay this far, so is of definite interest on his handicap debut. 

15:20 - The Tim Easterby-trained Fourjacks makes plenty of appeal here but we need to save lines somewhere, so Super Duty goes in as a banker. The seven-year-old was a useful novice hurdler last term and looks set to be an even better chaser, getting off the mark over fences with an impressive success at Cheltenham in December. He is well worth a go in this company and could even go on to better things at some stage.
15:55 - A tricky handicap concludes proceedings, though the Sue Smith-trained Gansey looks a good starting point. The 11-year-old is a C&D winner who has looked as good as ever in finishing second on his last two starts and, although he isn't hiding anything from the handicapper, he seems more likely to run his race than many in this field. Whats Up Woody runs from 1 lb out of the handicap but his consistent recent profile makes plenty of appeal and he seems likely to make a good fist of grabbing a place. 

Selections:
13:00 - 6, 9
13:35 - 4, 7
14:10 - 1, 10
14:45 - 5, 6
15:20 - 3
15:55 - 3, 11
= 32 lines

Look out for Brand new features with Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Wetherby

Racecourse: Wetherby
First Race Time: 1.00pm
Going: Soft, heavy in places
Other Information: 0.5mm of rain in last 24 hours

There are no comments on this article.

Racecourse: Sandown Park First Race Time: 1.50pm Going: Heavy, back straight soft Other Information: Dry overnight

Racecourse: Ffos Las First Race Time: 1.30pm Going: Heavy Other Information: 2mm of rain yesterday

Amazon Watches Center

Donald McCain: Super Duty out to prove stamina at Wetherby

"I've always thought he (Super Duty) would get 3m well and this looked the right place to come with a view to deciding his target at the Cheltenham Festival....."

Donald is expecting a big run from Super Duty as he heads to Wetherby for the Towton Novices' Chase...

14.05 Ffos Las - Hollow Tree

He's got his share of weight as a result of his smart form last year and by running in a race like this, he does at least have to avoid lugging top weight around. It's going to be very testing ground which he has already proved he likes and although I think he will stay 3m in time, the drop back in trip certainly won't be a problem. It's obviously very competitive but it's what you expect in a £50k handicap - hopefully his proven ability in the mud will see him go well.

14.40 Ffos Las - Red Rocco

This obviously represents a step up in class for him but he's going the right way and the thorough test of stamina should suit him. Having just ten stone on his back will be in his favour in a race like this and although he needs to improve, he is less exposed than his rivals. Again, it's a valuable prize and if he can get into a nice rhythm in the early stages, he is capable of going well.

15.20 Wetherby - Super Duty

I've always thought he would get 3m well and this looked the right place to come with a view to deciding his target at the Cheltenham Festival. In an ideal world, he'd be having his first run at the trip on better ground than this but we need to crack on with him and he has proven he handles the mud - I was really pleased with him at Cheltenham last time. It looks competitive enough but he's still open to improvement over fences and looks to have a strong chance.

15.55 Wetherby - Dunowen Point

I didn't really have him down as a 2 ½ miler but he seemed to stay well enough when he won over hurdles at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and he was strong at the finish here last time. This probably isn't as competitive as it could be for the money on offer and if he does stay, he's got to have a chance - he's had his problems but he hasn't got that many miles on the clock.

There are no comments on this article.

Amazon Watches Center

Wetherby

Going Report / Editor / 17 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

First Race Time: 14:25
Going: Good to firm, good in places (watered)
Other Information: Dry overnight

First Race Time: 14:15 Going: Good to firm, good in places (watered). 9.7 on going stick. Other Information: Dry overnight. Dry, sunny but cool day forecast....

First Race Time: 13:35 Going: Good to firm Other Information: Dry overnight. Forecast mainly overcast day....

First Race Time: 13:50 Going: Good. Going stick readings: Chase course 7.9, hurdles course 8.0. Other Information: 0.1mm of rain overnight. Forecast cloudy start with some sunny spells later....

Play Casino & Poker here

Nick Shiambouros' Patented 80/20 Bet: Wetherby, 17:45

80/20 / Nick Shiambouros / 17 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Nick is expecting no little effort from today's 80/20...

Today's 80/20 is Little Hercules in the 17.45 at Wetherby. This gelding beat Master Beau in good style at Musselburgh in February. He cruised in to the lead over the final flight and pulled away to win impressively. He clearly has more to offer and should run well at a decent price. At present he is trading at [7.0] on the exchange.

Nick's backing today's 80/20 to run well at a big price......

It's all about Newbury today as Nick continues his insatiable pursuit of 80/20 glory....

Looking for a lively Thursday bet? Nick believes that today's 80/20 has the answers....

Play Casino & Poker here