Paul Nicholls: My Friday runners at Cheltenham's Open meeting

Paul saddles five runners at Cheltenham this afternoon

The three-day Open meeting at Cheltenham is one of the early highlights of the national hunt season. Here Paul Nicholls talks exclusively to Betfair about his five day one runners...

13:15 Cheltenham - Unioniste

May not have shown the hurdling or chasing form of some of these but this half-brother to My Will surprised me when winning on his debut for me over 2m4f at Aintree. Granted, his main rival there, Carlito Brigante, ran well below form and the race may not have taken too much winning as a result. But what pleased me most about the win was that I thought the trip would be on the sharp side, especially as they missed out all three fences in the home straight - and we know this horse jumps well, having won a chase around Auteuil before coming to us. I am pretty sure he is a stayer but, as a 4yo, 2m4f is fine for him at this stage of his career. And even though this race has cut up a bit, the emphasis will be more on stamina today and he deserves to show us what he can do in this higher grade. Fingal Bay and Dynaste are clearly very tough opposition though.

13:50 Cheltenham - Shooters Wood

There is no real story to this horse other than he will be suited by conditions - he won a Hunters' Chase here a couple of seasons ago - and comes here in good form, having just been touched off at Kempton and Taunton. The problem is that he has been raised 6lb after his latest effort. I know he finished 11 lengths clear of the third that day but that looks harsh to me. But he at least has a nice racing weight off 10st 5lb and hopefully he will run his race, and that will be good enough. There looks to be better handicapped horses in this race, but a big plus is that I am convinced he will be better going left-handed.

14:25 Cheltenham - Dodging Bullets

Clearly showed us a lot last season and started this campaign as the highest-rated maiden in training. We have high hopes for him, particularly after a breathing operation in the summer. And that was what was so pleasing about his win at Cheltenham on his reappearance. Okay, the race may not have taken too much winning and the placed horses did nothing next time. But I thought the horse may have needed the race after coming in late after the op. If that is the case, then we have a really exciting prospect on our hands, one which we can aim at the Supreme or maybe higher. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves, as this is clearly a very competitive Grade 2 and will take some winning. But he is in great form at home, schooling well yesterday morning. Run With The Wind is probably his biggest rival on form, but good Flat horse Tominator clearly has a lot of potential.

15:35 Cheltenham - Saint Roque

Is probably one of the lowest rated hurdlers in the yard off 118, but I hope that this half-brother to Quito De La Roque will prove a lot better than that in time, starting today. Travelled well in his races last season before folding tamely, but breathing was the issue there, so we gave him an op in the summer. Teed up for this race when running well in a charity race under Georgie at Cheltenham last month - finishing strongly in the 1m5f race, and beaten only length - and I hope that this winning Irish pointer starts to fulful his potential with a good show here. Harry takes a very handy 6lb off, and I think he has definite each way claims.

16:05 Cheltenham - There's No Panic

Has come back superbly after a lengthy absence due to a leg injury, winning novice chases at Fontwell and Fakenham. This is by far his stiffest test of the season today but he has run here well over hurdles here in the past and he can be competitive off 137. In fact, I think he will run really well, and a bigger field and a better gallop will suit, too. And in Steven Clements, he has one of the best amateurs around. He has a lot going for him.

**********

Get your hands on a 10 FREE BET for Cheltenham. Simply place a 10 treble on Friday and we'll give you a 10 treble for Saturday.