Nicholls unperturbed by Tidal threat
Howard Johnson’s Arkle Trophy winner made a bloodless return to action at Carlisle on Sunday and a crack at Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Master Minded in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 6 is among his options.
Nicholls, speaking at Sandown’s launch of the jumps season, said: “If you look at the horses he beat yesterday, he has got a mountain to climb to beat horses like Kauto Star and Master Minded.
“Howard would have been pleased with him yesterday and like with Kauto Star on Saturday it doesn’t matter what you beat first time out, you just want to get round and be safe and sound.
“If Tidal Bay runs in the Tingle Creek he has got a long way to climb, and it’s the same for the King George.
“He is clearly a highly talented horse and we did try to buy him a few years ago but Howard obviously
offered more. Where he goes I wouldn’t know but even if he went to the Peterborough Chase I would not mind taking him on there now that I know Noland can breathe.”
Of Master Minded, Nicholls said: “I know it is hard to believe, but I think he has improved this year although until we get him out there in the Tingle Creek we will not know for sure, and like Kauto you just want to get his first run over.”
Kauto Star delighted Nicholls when cruising to success in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal at the weekend, and has returned in great heart.
He is set to be seen next in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 22.
Nicholls said: “To me there will never be another horse like him, and whatever he does in the future he will never be replaced.
“Last year, for whatever reason, he was very lethargic and looked like a three-mile chaser who wanted a trip.
“But he is now back to where he was two years ago and if Master Minded wasn’t around I have no doubt Kauto would be the horse to beat in the Tingle Creek.”
Cashmans bet: 2.40 Exeter: 7/4 Twist Magic, 4 Howle Hill, 11/2 Mahogany Blaze, 6 Natal, 8 Roman Ark, 10 Bishops Bridge
3.10 Exeter: 8/11 Oumeyade, 7/4 Greenbridge, 7 Oscar Boy, 14 Like A Duke.
Meanwhile, Champion Hurdle hero Katchit is set for a surprise outing at Wincanton this weekend after being given an entry in the totescoop6 Elite Hurdle on Saturday.
Alan King’s diminutive five-year-old was beaten into second by Snap Tie on his return to action at Kempton and the immediate thoughts of connections were to head straight back to Cheltenham for the Boylesports.com International Hurdle.
However, King is thrilled with the condition of the five-year-old and believes he could run at the weekend before returning to Prestbury Park in December.
“He is entered at Wincanton. It wasn’t really the plan but he has come out of Kempton so well and it is a long wait until the Boylesports, so I thought we might as well have a crack and the plan is to run,” said King.
“If he hadn’t been ready for Kempton we would have gone to Wincanton anyway.
“I was very pleased with him at Kempton. Philip’s (Hobbs) horse is obviously very good and the track and ground would have been quick enough.
“If you look back to his juvenile days he seems to improve for racing so he might as well run than me chase him around the hill at Barbury Castle.”
King also had news about My Way De Solzen, who bruised the inside of a suspensory ligament recently and will not be seen in action until the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon later next month.
“He had a setback about three to four weeks ago so we have been taking it easy with him. He is back trotting again but it was going to be a rush to get him ready for the Tingle Creek,” the trainer continued.
“I have no doubt I ran him in the wrong race first time out last year (Betfair Chase) and I should have run him in the Peterborough then. I still think he is the best horse I have trained and we just need to get him back.”
