Paul Nicholls has outlined some plans for his stars for the National Hunt season ahead of which he has been given a boost by returning owner, Jared Sullivan.
Sullivan has sent Nicholls around a dozen horses from Willie Mullins' as he has decided to have all his runners trained in the UK.
Speaking on his Betfair Blog, Nicholls said: "I think we have as strong a team of horses as we have ever had. The two main yards are full, all the stars from last season are back and I am thrilled to welcome back Jared Sullivan who has sent us a nice cross section of a dozen or so horses who were previously trained by Willie Mullins.
"I trained loads of top winners for Jared in the past including Zarkandar, Sanctuaire and Silviniaco Conti and it is great to have his support again now that he has decided to have all his horses trained in the UK.
"His team includes the top class Laurina, who recently had a wind op, Reel Steel, who ran so well in the Gold Cup, Stormy Island, a really good filly, Dolcita who was second in the mares’ race at the Festival this year, Eglantine Du Seuil, who won it the previous year, and the 2019 Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres.
"Jared has also sent us some really interesting maiden hurdlers while another new arrival from Ireland is Malcolm Denmark’s Next Destination, a talented horse who has had one or two issues and will be going novice chasing if all goes well.
"Topofthegame is back in work and is being aimed at the Ladbroke Chase, the two mile champion chaser Politologue is in good order and Clan Des Obeaux is likely to go for the Betfair Chase at Haydock before defending his crown in the King George V1 Chase.
"Cyrname, who looks fantastic, is likely to head for the Grade 1 three mile Chase at Down Royal which should truly tell us if he stays three miles.
"I’m greatly encouraged by a crucial change in the rules that now allow novices who won for the first time over fences or hurdlers after February 1 to remain novices until December 1. That opens up more options for horses like McFabulous, Grand Sancy, Thyme White and Southfield Harvest."
