Paul Nicholls determined to open his account in Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle
Veteran trainer, Paul Nicholls has won numerous mega events, but the Lady Luck hasn’t yet smiled on him, when it comes to Chepstow’s Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle, sponsored by Coral.co.uk this year.
Nicholls is determined to rectify the situation this term, hoping for a positive result in Chepstow Grade One event, as he enters the 2m110y meeting with Caid Du Berlais on Saturday. Just like the Welsh National, this contest was abandoned due to the waterlogged
track last month. It was later moved to the rescheduled card this weekend.
Nicholls has always been unlucky in this meeting. None of his trainees took part in this race last year, but he had a couple of fascinating contenders a couple of seasons ago. Two years back, he saddled the 8-13 favourite, Sam Winner, who could only seize
the fourth place on the table.
In 2009, his even-money favourite, Sang Bleu, finished second on the final chart. Things have never been lucky for him as far as this race is concerned, but Nicholls wants to live in present.
On his chances in the 2012-13 season, he said: "Caid Du Berlais has winning form on heavy ground in France and his last two starts when placed have been pretty good as he was second in a Listed hurdle at Auteuil last September.
"He has schooled well at home and I would be fairly hopeful he can go very well as he has experience on his side and conditions look ideal for him. He is also entered at Sandown but I am favouring running him at Chepstow."
Nicholls’ 4-year-old is going to face a stern test on Saturday. The Tim Vaughan-trained, Swnymor, looks to the biggest threat. The 4-year-old was pretty impressive on his hurdles debut at Newbury, where he crushed his five opponents comfortably in the Blackmore
Building Juvenile Hurdle last month.
Vaughan is also quite confidence about his charge’s prospects in Saturday’s encounter. He described ahead of the race: "We are definitely favouring running him at Chepstow as we think he wants testing ground as it was very soft when he won nicely at Newbury.”
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