Champion trainer Paul Nicholls checks his stable’s feed after a drop in form
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls checking the feed in his stable after Frodo and Greeneteen added to his recent high-profile disappointments
- Paul Nicholls vowed to ‘crack’ after recent drop in form
- A strike rate this season of 23% has fallen to just 5%
- Trainer sees no reason to alter racing plans for some of his top horses
Paul Nicholls says he sees no reason to alter the racing plans of some of his top horses at Newbury on Saturday as he looks for reasons for a drop in form at his stable.
The champion trainer has entered Clan Des Obeaux for the Denman Chase, Hitman for the Game Spirit Chase, Knappers Hill in the Betfair Hurdle and its main competitor from Cheltenham, Bravemansgame, will have its preparation for the Festival in pursuit of the novice handicap.
But Nicholls will have no runners until at least Thursday as he tries to find out why a 23% strike rate this season has fallen to just 5% in the past fortnight with just two winners in his last 40 runners. .
Paul Nicholls says he sees no reason to change racing plans for some of his top horses
Those who raced disappointingly over the weekend included Dublin Racing Festival challengers Frodo and Greeneteen.
Current investigations focus on feeding after Nicholls recalled a similar period of calm for the stable in January 2016 was due to low potassium and calcium in hay.
Nicholls began adding these minerals to his horses’ feed on Sunday to make up for any potential deficiencies.
Nicholls said, “If a good reason not to perform them came up, I wouldn’t even consider it.” We’re guessing what it is and already covering our tracks and waiting for testing to come back.
The champion trainer entered Clan Des Obeaux for the Denman Chase on Saturday
“If you saw the horses, you wouldn’t know there was a problem. If they’re sick with a cough or a snotty nose, you know where you are and you draw stumps, but it’s like 2016.
“If we can’t find anything and they look OK, I’m still willing to execute them.” We will not turn the corner dodging the issue. I think it will be a short term problem and just be positive and crack.
The test results will also determine whether Nicholls heads another of his flagships, the Challow Hurdle Stage Star winner, to Huntingdon on Thursday or Exeter on Sunday. He can also send it directly to Cheltenham.
BRIAN HUGHES, on his way to regaining his championship jumping jockey title, set a new personal best for a season when a double at Carlisle over Skyhill and Mackenberg took him to 148 wins for the season.
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