Taunton treat for Nicholls and Walsh
The picturesque course nestled in the Blackdown Hills is regularly used by champion trainer Nicholls as a testing ground for his young prospects and Qozak got the ball rolling as he strolled away with the southwest-racing.com Novices’ Hurdle at odds of 2-11.
A prolific winner of middle-distance races in France for non-thoroughbreds, the rangy five-year-old hinted at more than a bit of ability when touched off by Cracboumwiz on his first start for Nicholls at Newbury last month.
“He’s a chaser in the making, it’s as simple as that,” said Nicholls.
“We probably hadn’t had him long enough before he ran last time. He’ll have a couple more runs this spring before we put him away for chases in the autumn.
“He wasn’t even entered at Cheltenham – it was pointless with next year in mind.”
Inchidaly Rock, in the same green colours of Nicholls’ landlord Paul Barber, then justified his own skinny odds (1-3) in the Deane Veterinary Centre Novices’ Hurdle.
Now defeated just once in six starts including three point-to-point wins, Inchidaly Rock’s only serious opposition came from Tony McCoy and 3-1 second-favourite Jokers Legacy but Walsh bustled him along briefly to pull 10 lengths clear.
“I did enter him for the three-mile novice hurdle at Cheltenham but he won’t be running – he’s another novice chaser for next year,” explained Nicholls.
“He’s got no pedigree and is quite small for one of ours but he might make a nice handicap chaser. We’ll probably find him another novice hurdle for now.”
Aldertune (2-1) does not look to be a stable star but rounded off a good day for Ditcheat in the P.A.S. Sound & Communications-sponsored maiden bumper.
Walsh and Nicholls had to settle for second in the Happy Birthday Joan Ayres 92 Today Beginners’ Chase with Luxurix proving no match for 11-10 jolly Tamadot.
Third in a decent Folkestone event on his first try over fences, Philip Hobbs’ charge attacked the obstacles with relish and set a stiff tempo from the front to march right away.
Consigliere (7-2) obliged for the third time in four outings in the Betfair Handicap Chase with Tom Scudamore thwarting the renewed challenge of Katess.
Tony McCoy remains three short of the magic mark of 3,000 jumps winners in Britain and Ireland and will head to Leicester today with four decent-looking rides.
The champion jockey had something of a wasted journey to Taunton for two bookings, neither of which won.
He is Midlands-bound this afternoon with four rides for his retaining owner JP McManus, all of which come from his main trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
Both Kia Kaha and Rate of Knots could well be sent off favourite while Phoudamour and Johns Square have outside chances too.
