Trainer quotes 2021/22 season

[darlojim]

Has anyone heard anything regarding Nicholls' Monmiral ? Video of him on the ditcheat twitter today and someone said he goes chasing?

Had a reply off the lad who said he goes chasing on twitter and he said he was playing golf with one of the owners the other week and they told him they were going over fences with him.

[Saxon Warrior]

Had a reply off the lad who said he goes chasing on twitter and he said he was playing golf with one of the owners the other week and they told him they were going over fences with him.

…..and “doing a Nicholls” and skipping Cheltenham and going to Aintree again?

[darlojim]

…..and “doing a Nicholls” and skipping Cheltenham and going to Aintree again?

yepp just not worth backing any of his antepost unless there is real juice in the price as he just doesnt seem to care as much for the festival nowadays

[Quevega]

Nichols was itching to go for the triumph.
it was the owners who weren’t keen.
and not because they don’t like Cheltenham
nichols also referred to the triumph as a cavalry charge also, which is a little out of touch.
Sounds like they weren’t certain what they had early season.
This season may be more ambitious
hurdles or not.
for a horse they wanted to mind, my personal thought is another season over hurdles would be a waste for a french bred. And the try it over hurdles first but still go chasing would be a no no.
I’d campaign it confidently over fences and aim for grade ones in the spring.
but I’m not the owner. Of course

[Mighty]

I find it a bit bizarre really - you’d think re Monmiral that Fergie et al would have more of a say to run at the festival, but even Protektorat went to Aintree last year instead. Aintree is a cracking meeting, but winning there just isn’t the same. How does it work with PH, does he get the final say on all his horses, or is it more of a ‘strong steer’ to the owners?

[Mighty]

Nichols was itching to go for the triumph.
it was the owners who weren’t keen.
and not because they don’t like Cheltenham
nichols also referred to the triumph as a cavalry charge also, which is a little out of touch.

Really interesting, thanks - my post crossed before seeing yours. What’s Ferguson got against Cheltenham?

[Saxon Warrior]

Nichols was itching to go for the triumph.
it was the owners who weren’t keen.
and not because they don’t like Cheltenham
nichols also referred to the triumph as a cavalry charge also, which is a little out of touch.
Sounds like they weren’t certain what they had early season.
This season may be more ambitious
hurdles or not.
for a horse they wanted to mind, my personal thought is another season over hurdles would be a waste for a french bred. And the try it over hurdles first but still go chasing would be a no no.
I’d campaign it confidently over fences and aim for grade ones in the spring.
but I’m not the owner. Of course

You’re right with being out of touch.

The painful yesteryear cavalry charges of the RSA and the Triumph have both benefitted from the introduction of the Marsh and the Boodles, and the fields are much smaller, and more appealing to connections with a Grade 1 (potential) horse.

These races should no longer attract comments that they could “bottom” or “finish” horses, and trainers and owners should not be shy from running top novices in those races.

[Spectre]

I think it's about not over-facing horses too early in their career. Monmiral is a big old unit and pretty young to be carrying his big frame. I'm not sure an end to end gallop in tough races is something he wanted too often last season. Going to Aintree allowed him to have a much easier race than he'd have had in the Triumph.

Quilixios is another future staying chaser, who went to the Festival and won the Triumph. Having such a hard race didn't go so well at Punchestown though, and he'd been kept a fresh horse with the Festival in mind, so there were no excuses. It remains to be seen whether that leaves any kind of mark, or whether his star can shine as brightly this season.

Also we should consider that Willie habitually gives them the whole season off and brings them back as novice hurdlers rather than them have a tough season as juveniles. Most of his future chasers bought when they're juveniles don't start out until they're five at the earliest, and they don't see a fence until their 6 year old campaign. Nobody thinks that's bad or has a negative comment to make.

Saying that sending horses to the Triumph will bottom or finish horses is definitely too strong, but so many juveniles have shone brightly and quickly burnt out. So it can burn some, and in my opinion the big future chasing types are best given an easier time early on, and saved for the job they were bought to do. That's why Nicholls and Mullins take the different routes they do with horses they think have long term potential. For what it's worth I think both are happy to send smaller more forward types that perhaps aren't going to be winning big races in three or four years time to the race.

As to whether Monmiral has a second season over hurdles or is ready for chasing, there are few better than Nicholls to make the decision. For what it's worth I think he probably will, but there's every chance he won't go near the Festival again, and maybe not even Aintree for that matter, and it'll all be kept low key. I suspect he'll get a visit to Cheltenham for experience at some point in something like The Dipper maybe, but I expect the rest of his season to be running around Newbury, Chepstow, and perhaps even Exeter and Wincanton.

That doesn't mean he won't be a future Champion at the Festival. With patience he can be a top end candidate for Ryanair or even a Gold Cup as he matures. But that's unlikely as a 5 year old in the Arkle or Marsh, and as a 6 year old in the Ryanair or Gold Cup. Monmiral being so young gives Nicholls the advantage of being able to be patient and bide his time giving him experience before he has to take on the best around.

[Saxon Warrior]

He should stay in Grade 1 2M hurdles this year, given his age.

[Liverpoolchamp]

Who seen Henderson’s comments about Shiskin? He’s reportedly grown into a monster according to Nicky! He’s never seen anything like it apparently! Excited to see him now!

[PresentingPercy]

Easysland will be out of action until the New Year at least according to trainer David Cottin..

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/lord-risby-reappointed-to-the-levy-board-for-a-third-term/509578?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=RP%20-%20News&utm_content=Easyslands&utm_term=Null

[Lobos]

Tiger !!!!!!

[Zachx02]

Will they bring Ajas over for the trials then? I think I recall reading that they didn't bring him over for the XCC or the national because his owner couldn't attend but by next March they should be able to

[FinalFurlong91]

Who seen Henderson’s comments about Shiskin? He’s reportedly grown into a monster according to Nicky! He’s never seen anything like it apparently! Excited to see him now!

Wouldnt be like nicky to hype up one of his horses

Altior was faster than battaash at one stage In his mind haha

[Liverpoolchamp]

Wouldnt be like nicky to hype up one of his horses

Altior was faster than battaash at one stage In his mind haha

True! But if he isn’t talking shite then what a prospect that could be!