Paul Nicholls: My Saturday runners at Ascot

Far West will be hoping to remain unbeaten at Ascot this afternoon

Betfair Ambassador Paul Nicholls saddles four runners at Ascot today including his unbeaten, Triumph Hurdle-bound, Far West in the penultimate contenst...

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13:30 Ascot - Aaim To Prosper

Is one of the better Flat horses to be sent to us - albeit he is nine now - having won the Cesarewitch off a mark of 107 at Newmarket in October. I have been happy enough with his two efforts in defeat for us, and in hindsight we perhaps could have made more use of him when third at Doncaster last time. However, with the front three pulling well clear, that is still pretty decent form. The ground will be softer than ideal for him here but I would like to think that there is more to come from him. Has definitely improved since his last run and we will have a lot of fun with him in the spring; I think he will go very close to winning here.

14:05 Ascot - Rocky Creek

Was a Grade 2-winning hurdler last season but we always thought that this point winner would only reach his potential when put over fences. And he isn't letting us down so far. He clearly bumped into a very smart horse when second to Harry Topper on his chasing debut at Exeter, but has progressed to win decent races over 3m at Doncaster and 3m1f at Warwick, on the latter track travelling and jumping impressively en route to a 15 length win. His main market rival, Highland Lodge, may not have run his race at Warwick but ours clearly ran a race full of promise and had people talking about Cheltenham. But we will take our time with him and make a decision about the Festival after this; he is still a work in progress and I am mindful that he didn't show his best in the Albert Bartlett last season.

15:50 Ascot - Ghizao

A small but very select field for this Grade 1 contest. And as we are up against the likes of the Champion Chase winner Finian's Rainbow fresh from a breathing op, King George runner-up Captain Chris, and the impressive Haldon Cup winner Cue Card - not to mention Somersby, who loves it around here - I think it is fair to say that we have our work cut out, especially as I think he is better on good ground and maybe over a touch shorter too.

But you have to take your chance in a 150,000 contest where you can put question marks against all of the field, and don't forget that we were giving Captain Chris 6lb when only beaten four lengths by him here over 2m1f in November. He probably didn't run up to his best at Kempton last time, but he seems in good order at home and we will see what happens.

16:25 Ascot - Far West

First things first, I have to again pay tribute to Paul Stewart, whose Challenge later this year this race has been named after. Click on this link to a Betfair press release earlier in the week - - and see for yourself what an inspiration he is. So if you can donate to any of the two charities, either online or in person, please do; they will be fundraising at Ascot today if you are going.

If you are, then I hope you see Far West cement his Triumph Hurdle claims with a victory. This is a tough task with River Maigue in opposition, but this race comes at the right time for him, and he gets the 4yo allowance and only carries one penalty for his three wins. To my mind, his form is the best currently out there among the juveniles. He does occasionally hit a flat spot in his races (like Big Buck's!), but his form is there for all to see. Has been working very well with Zarkandar.