If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
We're looking to upgrade the 'hosting CPU' so I've set up a crowdfunding project.
I would love it if you could donate using the link below to access my project page. Any contribution large or small will be hugely appreciated. Thank you.
Kevloaf @ Fat Jockey
2 of 2<>
Fat Jockey Patrons
HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!
Does anyone else get put off backing Nicholl’s horses at Cheltenham these days? He’s still the master at mopping up big races on a Saturday through the season but I just can’t really back his for the Festival anymore. Henderson, Mullins and Elliot stronghold
100% FTM.
He's not silly, he'll not burn his horses out at one festival, when so much prize money available throughout the rest of the season.
That said, in some cases it is hard too ignore some of his horses, and the fact he is such a great trainer also.
Does anyone else get put off backing Nicholl’s horses at Cheltenham these days? He’s still the master at mopping up big races on a Saturday through the season but I just can’t really back his for the Festival anymore. Henderson, Mullins and Elliot stronghold
His record has become poor, especially with novice hurdlers. One type I would still consider backing is staying chasers though as that is his focus. I considered this before putting Ask For Glory up earlier.
He maybe just didn’t have the quality to back up the amazing years he had with the likes of kauto, big bucks, denman, master minded.
Has had a relatively quiet few years at Cheltenham, but wouldn’t discount his at all. Looks to have built up some nice horses again TOTG, Pic D’Orhy and if they can have that superstar affect the 4 above had then may bring him back up to the big 3.
I wouldn't discount a horse because it's with Paul Nicholls as a blanket rule, because he's fantastic.
However, I definitely factor in that he doesn't tend to 'plot' a Cheltenham handicapper as he targets pots through the season. (Pic D'Orhy an example last season, amoungst plenty more)
I also agree with the above that touches on his novice hurdlers. He's obviously had some success with hurdlers during his career, and novice hurdlers too, however it's no secret chasing is the end game for pretty much any horse he has (as he buys them with that in mind) - so he'd need a horse well above average in my opinion to be winning festival novice hurdles.
So in short, yes I probably do get 'put off' in terms of ante post.
Not having a runner in the Supreme, Arkle or Champion Hurdle is certainly not a good show.
Absolutely. In fact, in all the novice races at the festival (hurdles and chases) he only had 3 runners; cat tiger who was pulled up, Saint sonnet who was a well-beaten 7th in the Marsh and Mick Pastor who was 10th in the Fred Winter. This suggests that he may be having a few more pints in his local come the middle of march next year!
He is an amazing trainer though and one who can target a horse as well as any he just isn't getting the ammo at the moment.
I regularly bet Paul Nicholls to have 3 or more winners at the Festival but the best he’s done for a while was 2 winners in 2019 in recent years. I also backed 8 of his horses in singles at this years Festival and had a decent return on Politilogue and Dynamite Dollars. It’s strange how he has struggled, especially in the handicap chases because he has a massive stable and continues to have a lot of money invested in his stable by big spending owners buying and sending him some potentially classily French bred recruits. I think I read 2 years ago in an interview that Nicholls was very excited about his crop of juvenile chasers and the best he’s had since Kauto Star & Denman so maybe next season may see a change in achievement and fortune at the festival. Given the huge amount of prize money he amasses each season consistently I don’t think he’s too bothered about his Cheltenham record of late though, it may play on his mind very briefly when waiting for his next cocktail to arrive when sunbathing in Barbados but I doubt for long.
Shiskin in the Arkle along with Eptante in the Churdle (plus the double) were the first bets I placed on the Monday after Cheltenham. Henderson's comments re Shiskin were identical to those he made about Altior after his Supreme win. That is high praise indeed but clearly shows how much they rate him. 4/1 may appear short now but come March those numbers could easily be reversed.
Asterian Forlonge was on my shortlist for one of these races next year but having rewatched the Supreme again last night I didn't fully appreciate how far right he jumps the last 3 hurdles. The third last is a disaster and the last he would have gone much further right if he didnt have chantry house to 'straighten him up'. Has to be a concern for me over hurdles and cant be backing him AP until I see him jump a fence 'straighter'.
We process personal data about users of our site, through the use of cookies and other technologies, to deliver our services, personalize advertising, and to analyze site activity. We may share certain information about our users with our advertising and analytics partners. For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
By clicking "I AGREE" below, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our personal data processing and cookie practices as described therein. You also acknowledge that this forum may be hosted outside your country and you consent to the collection, storage, and processing of your data in the country where this forum is hosted.
Tweet
Comment