Trainer Paul Nicholls has launched a new column to detail his National Hunt season plans, highlighting key horses to watch as the campaign gets underway. Speaking ahead of the winter racing schedule, Nicholls expressed optimism about his current team and recent improvements to his training facilities at Ditcheat.
Nicholls acknowledged the recent loss of several promising horses, including Old Park Star, Act Of Innocence, Kabral Du Mathan, and Sinnatra, whose owners chose to transfer them to other trainers. While the departures were disappointing, Nicholls said the stable has replenished its ranks with new talent and added new owners to its roster. Enhancements to the training grounds, such as the installation of a new all-weather schooling lane measuring nearly a furlong and a half, have also supported preparations for the season ahead.
With a career tally approaching 4,000 winners, Nicholls remains focused on achieving further milestones, emphasizing his ambition to reach 5,000 victories. He is aiming to discover the next star horse and deliver continued successes for the stable’s loyal owners.
Among the horses to watch, Nicholls singled out Quebecois, who he believes was unlucky not to win at Newton Abbot recently and is now being targeted at the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month. Nicholls welcomed the handicapper’s decision to raise Quebecois’s rating by only one pound following that performance, suggesting confidence in the horse’s future prospects.
Nicholls also previewed a quartet of runners headed to Aintree. Order On Time will open proceedings in the 1:15 p.m. race. Nicholls described him as the most promising contender on the card, noting the horse’s solid preparations and good jumping technique. He also highlighted the potential of several young novice hurdlers, though cautioned that their true form remains untested at this level.
Knappers Hill, now ten years old and eligible for veterans’ races, will run at 2:25 p.m. Nicholls pointed to the horse’s good first run last season and recent fitness, noting his weight advantage and previous success in bumpers with jockey Megan Nicholls aboard.
Hitman is set to contest the 3:00 p.m. Old Roan Chase, where he faces stiff competition. Having won the race last season on good to soft ground, Nicholls expressed a preference for similar conditions, as Hitman performs better on faster ground. He confirmed the horse is in excellent condition but acknowledged the strength of the field.
The final runner, A King Of Magic, will race at 3:35 p.m. The horse arrives following a dominant 15-length victory at Perth, which led to a 12-pound rise in the handicap. Described as progressive but still needing race fitness, Nicholls is hopeful the horse will continue to improve as the season progresses.
Nicholls’s column, produced in partnership with Betfair, aims to keep National Hunt enthusiasts informed about his stable’s developments and key contenders throughout the winter months.