Paul Nicholls celebrates with Stage Star

Paul Nicholls: Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby ideal for Stage Star

By Graham Clark

Horse Racing

Mon September 08, 2025 · 4M ago

Paul Nicholls believes the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby is the "perfect2 race for Stage Star to regain the winning thread.

For the first time in his career Stage Star ended a season without registering a victory after tasting defeat in all four of his starts last term.

After beating only one rival home in the Virgin Bet Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree the Fame And Glory gelding failed to fare much better when finishing down the field in the Nyetimber December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

However, he fared better when filling the runner’s up spot over an extended three-miles in the Grade Two Betfair Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham before ending the campaign with a third in the Grade One Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase at Aintree.

And with those two efforts still fresh in his mind Nicholls is confident Stage Star can get back on track by registering a first success in almost two years in the Grade Two prize at the West Yorkshire venue on November 1.

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He said: “Stage Star has been a grand horse. He has won a Challow Hurdle, a Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and a Paddy Power Gold Cup.

“Last season was a bit tough and he was in no man’s land a little bit. He had a high handicap mark and we had to run in better races.

“I wanted to run him over a trip so we did in the Cotswold Chase, and he ran very well, when he finished second giving four pounds to L’Homme Presse.

“We gave him one more after that over three miles one furlong at Aintree, and again he ran very well.

“We will be staying over three miles, but he needs to go left handed, which is a bit frustrating. The obvious race for him is the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and we will have him ready for that.

“He still has a huge amount of ability and a Grade Two race like the Charlie Hall will be perfect for him."

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