Breathing ops for Nicholls duo

PAUL Nicholls has revealed two of his leading John Smith’s Grand National fancies have had breathing operations.

The champion trainer has yet to win the Aintree showpiece but has Niche Market and Tricky Trickster in mind for the race this time around.

Writing in his exclusive column at www.betfair.com/paulnicholls he said: “He (Niche Market) was a 16-1 chance when pulled up in the race when with Bob Buckler last season. But he joined us in the summer and, after an early fall at Wincanton, he ran an excellent fifth in the Hennessy.

“And that run looks incredibly good when his breathing may have been holding back that day. So I can reveal here that we immediately sent him for a breathing operation after Newbury.

“He has just come back in and he will have one more run — maybe a 2m4f handicap chase or possibly even a novice hurdle, probably in late February or March — before going to Aintree.

“Obviously, his form going into the National last season and his Hennessy run in November has not been lost on many, as he is prominent in the betting at 26.0.

“But it could just be that his breathing operation can make a big difference. And I have plenty of other horses being aimed at the race, too.

“Tricky Trickster has also had a breathing operation since his poor run at Cheltenham in November, and he has Aintree in mind again along with Taranis, the Tother One, Neptunes Collonges and Meanus Dandy. And there could be more, too.”

Nicholls also discusses plans for Angela Yeoman’s strong Ditcheat team including Pride Of Dulcote and Sam Winner, his high and lows of 2010 and his runners at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Meanwhile You’relikemefrank prevented a winning send-off for The Tatling and helped his trainer John Balding finish 2010 on a high note at Lingfield yesterday.

The Tatling officially turns 14 today and trainer Milton Bradley had said he might be retired if he won division one of the totepool A Better Way To Bet Handicap, although the sprinter did not enjoy an earlier attempt to call time on his career and started to sulk at home.

He had every chance in this event, finishing two lengths second to the 15-8 favourite You’relikemefrank, and Bradley is likely to keep him going while his heart remains in the sport.