News Paul Nicholls duo ripe for Newbury charge

Paul Nicholls duo ripe for Newbury charge

racing

Paul Nicholls is double-handed in his quest to enhance an impressive record in the StanJames.com Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.

Since the inception of the Grade Three prize in 2004, the nine-times champion trainer has claimed the contest on seven occasions, including 12 months ago with Sound Investment.

While last year's winner will not be back to defend his title, the Ditcheat handler looks to have two strong candidates in Sametegal and Art Mauresque.

Nicholls' assistant Tom Jonason said: "Art Mauresque is reasonably weighted.

"Noel Fehily rides him for the first time as Nick Scholfield is going to Kelso to ride Unioniste.

"I think he has got a massive chance, ground permitting. We've had this race in mind for a while.

"Although he handles soft ground a little bit better now, he wouldn't want it too soft.

"We've been waiting for better ground for him as he does need good ground, while the trip should be fine as he ran a good race in the Paddy Power over it.

"Sametegal is having his first run over fences in handicap company. Harry Cobden takes 7lb off, that will help him and put him on a smart weight.

"He just got collared at Musselburgh and he too wouldn't want it too soft.

"His win at Huntingdon came after a long lay-off and since then he has come up against some very good novices and has got some good form against them.

"Just stepping into handicap company over fences might be what he wants."

Connections of last year's runner-up Bennys Mist are hoping the Venetia Williams-trained 10 year-old can go one better before heading to Aintree in April for a tilt at the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences.

Graham Mezzone, speaking on behalf of owners the Mezzone family, said: "Bennys Mist has been an outstanding horse for us and exceeded all our expectations.

"He was second to Sound Investment in this race last year and they finished 17 lengths clear of the rest.

"We were really using the race last year as a prep race before going to Aintree so it was a tremendous effort.

"It was a great run last time at Ascot, especially when you consider he was running off a career-high mark (145). Liam (Treadwell) jumped off him that day and told me that was an outstanding effort.

"If all goes to plan at Newbury, we will be heading back to Aintree in April for the Topham Chase.

"He won the Grand Sefton this year and has been placed twice over the fences, so we have to go back there.

"He really loves the fences at Aintree."

Colin Tizzard has his string in good order and the Dorset trainer will be looking for Ultragold to hand him another valuable Saturday prize, having captured the BetBright Chase at Kempton last weekend with Theatre Guide.

Joe Tizzard, the Dorset handler's son and assistant, said: "Ultragold should like the ground, but he is a confidence horse.

"He comes here on the back of an easy win at Wincanton and is in lovely form at home.

"As long as he can piece together two good runs, which he has struggled to do in the past, he would have a chance.

"We thought he wanted further on this slower ground, but perhaps we tried to run him over too far in the past.

"He is a horse we bought with a big reputation - it might have just taken time for him to get there.

"The trip should be ideal for him, while he is at the right end of the weights and he is in the best form we've ever had him at home."

The long-term aim for Shutthefrontdoor is a second shot at the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree but trainer Jonjo O'Neill believes that while the trip may be inadequate, it should act as a suitable prep race.

He said: "It's the only race he can really run in.

"The ground is not ideal, but I have to run him somewhere between now and the National.

"Two and a half miles is plenty short enough for him, but it will sharpen him up. It's a race that suits well.

"I had him in at Haydock not so long back, but the ground was bottomless and I don't want to tear the heart out of him. He is ground dependent, that's why we've struggled to find a race for him.

"Aintree is the main aim and that is where all roads are leading, so hopefully he will come back safe and sound."

Nick Gifford expects the galloping nature of the track to suit Generous Ransom as the eight-year-old bids to gain a first victory of the campaign.

He said: "Generous Ransom is in good order. He has had a break to freshen him up and the trip and ground should be fine for him.

"Although he has never been to Newbury before, a big, galloping track should suit him and he has got a lovely weight.

"He was supposed to go to Ludlow for the Forbra Gold Cup, but they had five millimetres of rain overnight so this is plan B. I'm sure he would get three miles, but on better ground.

"I think the handicapper has given us a chance and hopefully he can come back to his form of last season."

After falling when still in contention at Doncaster on his last start, Off The Ground will be out to atone for that late mishap.

Trainer Charlie Longsdon said: "He has been given a break after falling at Doncaster.

"He is in good form, but he's got to rise to the occasion, although he seems an improving 10-year-old.

"He does need better ground."

There will be French interest in the extended two-mile-three-furlong event courtesy of the Emmanuel Clayeux-trained pair Pythagore and Vicomte Du Seuil.

Clayeux said: "Pythagore is a very nice horse who has won some important races in France and now we would like to continue the adventure with him in England

"I first went to Newbury last June when I was visiting Lambourn and, as it is quite flat and also left-handed, I think this will suit him well.

"He adapts easily to different racetracks, although we didn't enter him elsewhere, say at Cheltenham, because we wanted to give him a chance to adapt first over British fences and see how he goes before deciding anything.

"He is a horse that runs well fresh, and has come out of his run at Pau very well.

"Vicomte Du Seuil is obviously less exposed at this level, but he also adapts well to new places."

The field is completed by Little Jon (Nigel Twiston-Davies), Seventh Sky (Charlie Mann), Un Beau Roman (Paul Henderson) and the Evan Williams-trained duo of Aerlite Supreme and Laser Hawk.