Hot To Trot: Nicholls on the charge

Jumps trainer: Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls arguably has one of the strongest group of horses he has had for a number of years, so it is no surprise that he has hit a rich vein of form with the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, but his runners need keeping on side in the shorter term, too.

Nicholls enjoyed an eight-timer last Saturday, with wins from his top chasing stars Clans des Obeaux and Cyrname a particular highlight and, as you’d expect from a trainer with as big a string as Nicholls, he has plenty of entries over the upcoming days. Among a strong contingent Nicholls will send to Fontwell on Sunday is Old Guard, who will contest the National Spirit Hurdle, a race he won 12 months ago.  He was last seen finishing a good third in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham and he should make another bold bid to make it successive wins in the race. On Tuesday, Not A Nail could make the trip to Ffos Las to contest the bumper, having made a promising start to his career at Exeter in December. Although he failed to justify favouritism, he was notably green, and much better is expected now (well-related type). Nicholls is set to be well represented at his local track Wincanton on Wednesday, too, with the exciting Christopher Wood holding an entry in the novices hurdle. A near-useful performer on the Flat, he made an impressive start to his hurdling career when winning at Fontwell this month, travelling powerfully, and he rates the type to go on improving for a while yet.

Flat trainer: Mark Johnston

As the graph below shows, Mark Johnston has made one of his fastest starts to the year in a while, already having saddled 17 winners (at the time of writing). Eight of those wins have come in the last week so the yard are flying at the minute and Johnston’s runners in the next few days command respect as a result.

Pink Flamingo seems to be improving with each run and will be of interest if taking her chance under a penalty at Wolverhampton on Monday, having won at Lingfield on Friday afternoon. Bay of Naples is another who should go close at the same track on Tuesday. He showed much improved form to open his account at the second attempt at Lingfield last week, seen to good effect the way things unfolded but still showing a determined attitude to get the job done. There should be even more to come from him and he could be one of Johnston’s stronger chances of the week. On the same card, Lord Lamington shaped as though he would appreciate a stiffer test last time and will be of interest trying a mile and a half for the first time in the closing handicap. Johnston has a few entries at Southwell on Wednesday but the pick of them could be Red Phoenix. He made a winning return from a short break (had been gelded) at Lingfield on Friday afternoon in good style and strikes as the type that will be suited by Southwell, so will be also of interest if turned out under a penalty.

Under the radar: Anthony Honeyball

Anthony Honeyball has had a rather truncated season, not having the best of times over the busy winter period, but he is striking back with a vengeance now entering the spring, and is worth following with that in mind.

Honeyball does notoriously well in bumpers and he could have two interesting runners at Plumpton on Monday in the shape of Lily The Pink and Marilyn Monroe. The first-named is having her first start for the yard after winning a modest bumper at Stratford in June, while the latter will be making her Rules debut after winning a point-to-point in May. It will be interesting to see what the market makes of them if they both turn up, but Marilyn Monroe makes appeal on pedigree and could be an above-average recruit. Hideaway Vic could also run at Uttoxeter on Monday, having shaped with plenty of promise in his hurdling debut when third to a subsequent winner. This could potentially be a hot novice hurdle for the track, but Hideaway Vic is open to improvement and should give a good account.