Solo isn't the only Paul Nicholls trained hurdler on Mark Howard's shortlist for a major upcoming prize.
Paul Nicholls has won the JCB Triumph Hurdle twice but it has been a long time between drinks since Zarkandar won the Grade Two Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on his British debut before going on to land the Festival prize the following month. Nine years later, the champion trainer sent another ex-French four year old to the Sunbury track on Saturday for his first outing in the UK and the outcome was the same.
Unlike his former stablemate, Solo had experience over obstacles in his native country having won one of his two starts at Auteuil for Guillaume Macaire. Still a colt, the son of Kapgarde burst onto the juvenile hurdle scene over the weekend with a devastating display which saw him beat another former Auteuil winner Fujimoto Flyer by 13 lengths conceding seven pounds to Emmet Mullins’ runner-up in the process.
Professional throughout, Harry Cobden’s mount jumped superbly and had the race in safe keeping shortly after the second last flight. It was Nicholls’ fifth win in the race and surely his most emphatic. The ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle, prior to the weekend, was dominated by the front running Allmankind, Aspire Tower and Goshen and that trio will provide the perfect tow into the race for Solo. Long-term, he will make a superb chaser for owner Johnny De Le Hey but still has plenty of unfinished business over hurdles in the meantime.
Earlier in the week, Nicholls sent a couple of runners to Musselburgh and the pair ensured it was a worthwhile trip with two victories. They included Christopher Wood who was having his first start since undergoing a wind operation.
Well held in both the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton and Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury earlier in the campaign, the Fast Company gelding had slipped five pounds in the ratings and took full advantage in the 0-140 two miles handicap hurdle at the Scottish track. Leading two out, the five year old only had to be pushed out to beat Lucky Flight by eleven lengths.
Purchased for 80,000gns towards the end of 2018 having reached a mark of 85 on the Flat for Michael Bell, Christopher Wood won twice over timber last season before finishing third in Grade One company at Aintree behind Pentland Hills and Fakir D’Oudairies.
Despite holding an entry in the County Hurdle at the forthcoming Festival, the Imperial Cup at Sandown a few days earlier may prove a more suitable target. Paul Nicholls won the race last year with Malaya and he may have a prime candidate for the 2020 renewal next month.
✅ Two from two today
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 18, 2020
✅ 42% strike-rate at the track
A good day for @PFNicholls as the smart Christopher Wood trots up under @CobdenHarry at @MusselburghRace
Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/cpxbbNfRpk
Once again the programme was largely disrupted by the weather last week, a trend which looks set to continue over the next few days. However, there were some noteworthy performances by novices who still have Cheltenham Festival aspirations.
Allart has always been held in high regard at Seven Barrows and it will be interesting to see if Nicky Henderson steers the Shantou gelding towards either the Sky Bet Supreme or Ballymore Novice Hurdle.
A faller at the first on his hurdles debut at Ascot in November, the six year old hasn’t looked back since. A nine lengths victor at Ludlow last month, he had no trouble defying a penalty at Doncaster on Wednesday.
Admittedly, the opposition may not have amount to much, but Nico De Boinville’s partner couldn’t have won two miles novice hurdle much easier. Carrying a penalty, he jumped accurately and was in pole position by the time he flicked over the third last.
A 14 lengths winner, he looks a horse with a big future regardless of whether he goes to Cheltenham or not. Ronnie Bartlett and Nicky Henderson combined with Simonsig a few years ago and they appear to have another good one in Allart.
Monster! Allart rockets up at @DoncasterRaces and the Cheltenham Festival will surely be next for @sevenbarrows's hot prospect... pic.twitter.com/cat4lM8sCV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 19, 2020
Colin Tizzard is another leading trainer who is blessed with a strong team of novice hurdlers. Fiddlerontheroof, Harry Senior and Master Debonair have all won Graded contests this winter, while the unbeaten The Big Breakaway may prove the best of the lot.
It would be dangerous to underestimate dual hurdles winner Lieutenant Rocco, too, who is entered in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Beaten in two Irish points for Aidan Fitzgerald, he has looked a fair prospect since racing under Rules. An 11 lengths winner at Chepstow in early January, he made all under a penalty at Warwick last Friday under Robbie Power.
A mistake at the last failed to stop him in his tracks as he galloped nine lengths clear of the 132 rated Stick With Bill. From the family of Grade One-winning hurdler and chaser First Lieutenant, both his wins have been gained over two-and-a-half miles. The Shirocco gelding looks a big powerful galloper though and could be even better over three miles. If taking his place at the Festival, he will go there very much an unknown quantity but he warrants plenty of consideration.
A trip to the Festival isn’t on the agenda for Grand Roi but he is a four year old going places and is one to bear in mind for Aintree the following month. Placed in a French bumper before being snapped up by leading agent Anthony Bromley on behalf of the Million In Mind Partnership, he was a 15 lengths winner at Wincanton on his first run for Nicky Henderson in early December.
Given a more positive ride, the Spanish Moon gelding may have followed up in a Listed contest at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Beaten less than a length, the runner-up that day was Ocean Wind who has gone one better since and is Cheltenham bound.
Unbeaten over hurdles!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 21, 2020
The likeable Grand Roi bolts up for @NdeBoinville and @sevenbarrows at @WarwickRaces
Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/YRROVgFazF
An easy winner on his first try over hurdles at Fakenham, Grand Roi produced another dominate display at Warwick at the end of last week. A quick jumper, he stays two miles well and will get further in time. Given the fact he has to go to the sale in the spring as part of the owner’s dispersal sale, he will attract no shortage of interest there. He is a smart sort and, if heading to Aintree, he will arrive fresh and could be dangerous.
As regards the best result of the week, it was encouraging to see Any Second Now complete his preparation for the Randox Health Grand National with victory in the Grade Three chase at Naas on Sunday.
Trainer Ted Walsh used the same two miles event for his previous National winner Papillon twenty years ago and Seabass also won it before finishing third behind Neptune Collonges in 2012. Mark Walsh’s mount jumped brilliantly throughout and this will have put him spot on for a trip to Aintree in early April. As short as 10/1 with Sky Bet in the ante-post lists, fingers crossed we have got a live one running for us.
