Paul Nicholls: My weekend runners at Wincanton, Haydock and Ffos Las

Paul saddles a plethora of runners over the weekend

It's a typically busy weekend for Paul Nicholls and here he discusses his Saturday runners at Haydock and Wincancton as well as his sole runner at Ffos Las on Sunday...

13:20 Wincanton - Workbench

In truth, he hadn't shown a great deal before going to Plumpton last time. But he certainly showed a lot more promise when second to the smart Pendra there, despite not helping himself by proving far too free early on. If he can build on that, he is clearly in with a winning chance in a race that has cut up.

13:45 Haydock - Valco De Touzaine

Made a promising debut for us when second at Sandown and on the back of that I fancied him to run a big race off a mark of 135 on his return to that track for a handicap hurdle last month. He didn't really get the run of the race there though, making a couple of mistakes which lost him his position, so in those circumstances he ran ok in sixth. Though I think he will be better on good ground - on which he did all his winning in France - this race has cut up at the overnight stage, and I think he has improved at home since his last run.

13:55 Wincanton - Oscar Amy

Won a maiden point in Ireland in November. This doesn't look the strongest of races and she goes well enough at home, but we haven't had her that long and I always like to see what my new recruits do on the track before making any firm judgements about them. Especially as this 2m trip is probably far too short for her. But it's a decent starting point in this ground, and her next race will be at Wincanton in a fortnight over 2m6f.

14:30 Wincanton - Benvoliio

Before he won here last time, I said he would need to improve a good deal to oblige, although the softer ground would help and he did look "fantastic" at the time. And he certainly progressed a fair amount to beat the favourite there, with the front two pulling 13 lengths clear. I don't think a mark of 126 is particularly generous on what he has achieved, but he is clearly improving. He may start favourite today and may well win, but I would say that I am hopeful rather than confident.

15:05 Wincanton - Minellahalfcentury

The same comments pretty much apply to those I said about Oscar Amy in the earlier novices' hurdle. But the form of her second last time out has worked out pretty well, so that gives us hope of a good showing.

15:35 Wincanton

Celestial Halo

Has been off since the Champion Hurdle with a touch of a leg, and he will need this run. We are aiming him towards the World Hurdle, and this is very much a stepping stone. But one thing in his favour is not only his class but also that he loves Wincanton, where his form figures are 1212, the defeats coming when runner-up to Mille Chief (beaten only a nose) and Binocular in this race for the past two seasons.

Zarkandar

With Grandouet out on account of the ground, this looks an easier opportunity for Zarkandar than I had anticipated. But what I said about Silviniaco Conti before Newbury on Saturday applies here too, namely that while Zarkandar is fit himself to do himself justice, he certainly isn't fully tuned up today. And Raya Star, whom we give 4lb to, is certainly no pushover. But so far this season, so good with Zarkandar. He put up a tremendous performance to give 17lb to Prospect Wells here in November, when in need of the run, and showed his class and tenacity once again when winning the International.

16:15 Wincanton - Maxi Chop

He had been going nicely at home prior to his debut for us at Taunton earlier in the month, so we thought he would give a good account of himself there. But it looks as though we bumped into a birthday present David Pipe gave himself as we were beaten 12 lengths by a very well-backed one of his! But the third was 15 lengths away there and I think a mark of 120 gives us hope here. Harry takes 5lb off, too.

Sunday

16:20 Ffos Las - Tricky Trickster

His win at Huntingdon last week was honestly one of the highlights of my training career. In its way, it was as satisfying as winning a race at the Festival because at one stage it was touch and go whether he even survived after he broke some vertebrae in his neck when falling in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter two years ago. So it was a very, very long road to get him back to the racetrack last week, and to see him run and win so well for owner Chris Giles was unbelievable.

He needs to finish either first or second here to qualify for the Foxhunters - we actually have until next Sunday to qualify him if for some reason he doesn't run here - and let's hope he does. He may not be the force he was when winning the Aon three years ago, but I would like to think that he would be competitive at Cheltenham if we can get him there.