Back to those Nicholls & Henderson runners...
Yesterday saw the chasing debut of the exciting CHAMP, who comfortably strolled to victory over 2m7f at Newbury.
But what exactly does he have in common with Bobs Worth, Santini & Riverside Theatre (apart from being trained by Nicky Henderson, smarty pants 😉😆).
Well consider this...
Nicky Henderson in Non-Hcp Novice/Beginners chases at Newbury, starting at an SP 6/4 or less...
...an angle that is now 1-1-1-1-1-F-1-1-1 (8/9) after Champ's victory.
In that form line are...Santini, Bobs Worth, Finians Rainbow (X2), Punchestowns & Riverside Theatre...
...meaning if Henderson runs a Novice Chaser at the track and they are short in the market then it's likely to be a damn good one.
Now clearly we all knew that but it's good to have the stats to back up it.
Champ has someway to match the aforementioned bunch but he's made the right start and providing his jumping tightens up a little from the debut run (which I think it needs to) then he's every chance of reaching the level of the previous superstars Henderson has unleashed in Novice contests at Newbury.
Now onto Nicholls...
On Wednesday Paul Nicholls unleashed his Grade 2 winning bumper performer MCFABULOUS, who was sent off at 30/100 to get the job done on Hurdling debut at Chepstow.
Thing is he didn't get the job done, getting turned over by the Fergal O'Brien trained Silver Hallmark by a comfortable 4L.
I wouldn't, however, be too concerned by the McFabulous defeat.
Consider the following...
Paul Nicholls in Maiden Hurdles at Chepstow (since 2009)
4/52 | 7.5% S/R | -£31.65 BFLSP - W&P 29/52 | 56% S/R
For whatever reason the Paul Nicholls Maiden Hurdlers just DO NOT perform as expected at Chepstow.
If you are a McFabulous fan I wouldn't be giving up just yet, he'll be better judged away from Chepstow and he still holds plenty potential...
The National Hunt action continues to build this weekend, with Aintree, Wincanton, Kelso & Naas hitting us on Saturday and the eagerly anticipated return of SANTINI at Sandown on Sunday...
Next week we have the three day November meeting from CHELTENHAM!
There is no better time than now to hook up to the full NTF service...
Ben (NTF)