ProbarGOLD- Free

Nicholls is in flying form
Horse & Hound|March 16, 2023
Trainers Paul Nicholls and Gary Moore peak just at the right time, and an equine dentist has more to celebrate
- MARCUS ARMYTAGE
Nicholls is in flying form

Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey

FEW combinations, or rather British combinations, of trainers and jockeys came into Cheltenham Festival in better form than Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, a man who is riding with more confidence than ever, and Gary and Jamie Moore.

Whether that has translated to Hermes Allen winning this week's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Wednesday) or Editeur Du Gite the Champion Chase, we will know by now. Whether it helps get Bravemansgame over the line in Cheltenham's Boodles Gold Cup remains to be seen, but it is better to be in form going into the meeting rather than out of it.

Cobden was ice cool on Iceo in the Betfair Imperial Cup, a race that no longer carries a big juicy bonus for any horses winning it and at Cheltenham, so the temptation not to pull the Chris Giles-owned five-year-old out again this week will be easier to resist after what Cobden reckoned was a hard race on pretty horrible going.

Iceo looked pretty keen going to the start and Cobden did well to drop him in and switch him off early before picking his way forward and then staying on up the hill.

Even so, the way Knickerbocker glory (Bridget Andrews) jumped the secondlast with plenty of air and a three-length lead, victory did not look certain. But he had reeled in the runner-up by the time they got to the last and he went on to win by three-and three-quarter lengths, very much in the manner of a horse whose best trip will be further.

Nicholls said: "He ran well here a couple of months ago, having been off for a year with a tiny fracture on his cannon bone. We had to give him time and he needed that run. I said one race we will aim for is the Imperial Cup and pray it rains.

Esta historia es de la edición March 16, 2023 de Horse & Hound.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 16, 2023 de Horse & Hound.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HORSE & HOUNDVer todo
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Horse & Hound

Gemirande provides 24-carat magic

Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
Horse & Hound

‘Happy hunting, everyone'

“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
'Monaco deserved this victory
Horse & Hound

'Monaco deserved this victory

Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
'It had to end sometime'
Horse & Hound

'It had to end sometime'

The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
'You couldn't want for more
Horse & Hound

'You couldn't want for more

The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
The greatest gift of all
Horse & Hound

The greatest gift of all

Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Winter him well
Horse & Hound

Winter him well

A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Neat feet
Horse & Hound

Neat feet

Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
In bygone days
Horse & Hound

In bygone days

Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Horse & Hound

'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'

Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 19, 2024

Usamos cookies para proporcionar y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al usan nuestro sitio aceptas el uso de cookies. Learn more