Paul Nicholls on his five hopes at Cheltenham and Doncaster – including Rare Middleton and Panjari

• Paul Nicholls has three horses at Cheltenham and two at Doncaster on Friday
• Trainer looking forward to seeing if Ginny’s Destiny can go the distance in 12.40 
• Rare Middleton has the opportunity to succeed if conditions are favourable 

Paul Nicholls has three horses running at Cheltenham, and two at Doncaster on Friday, including Rare Middleton ridden by Angus Cheleda.  

Other Nicholls-trained horses in action include Panjari, Twinjets, and Ginny’s Destiny.  

Here, Betfair ambassador Nicholls goes through five of his horses set to ride on Friday. 

Cheltenham

12.05 – Meatloaf

He won two of his four bumpers and was then successful on his debut over hurdles at Wincanton last month with the form working out nicely. 

Paul Nicholls shares his thoughts on his five runners at Cheltenham and Doncaster on Friday

Panjari (left, ridden by Harry Cobden) impressed last time out at Taunton in November

He has a penalty to carry and this is obviously a hotter race but he has run a cracker at this course on New Year’s Day and looks to have a fair chance.

12.40 – Ginny’s Destiny 

New to us this season he relishes the current testing ground conditions and was impressive when winning on his second start over fences at this course last time. 

He made all the running that day, was two lengths ahead when his sole challenger fell at the second last and was subsequently raised 8lbs to a mark of 141. 

He is a decent prospect, worked well on Wednesday morning and I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on in this stronger race.

13.15 – Panjari

A big, strong individual who was useful on the flat in Germany, he has progressed in three starts over hurdles, winning tidily last time at Taunton and now goes for his first handicap off a mark of 117 which means he gets in on a nice, light racing weight.

Doncaster

11.25 – Rare Middleton

Finding good ground for horses like Rare Middleton who can’t handle the soft is proving quite challenging at the moment so Doncaster looks the best option for him. 

He wasn’t happy on testing ground at Ascot last time but he is a decent horse when he gets his conditions and Angus Cheleda’s 5lbs claim reduces the weight he has to carry to 11st 9lbs on his second start since a wind op.

Ginny’s Destiny is a decent prospect for Friday’s 13.15 at Cheltenham and Nicholls is waiting to see how he gets on in this stronger race

14.15 – Twinjets

He joined us shortly after finishing third on his debut over fences in a novice handicap at Ascot early last month when he tended to jump a little to his left. So he should be suited by racing left handed this time. 

I’m still learning about Twinjets who won in April over two miles, five furlongs and should get the extra quarter mile on a flat track like Doncaster.

Best chance: Rare Middleton, 11.25 Doncaster

He has sound claims back on drier ground.

Source: Read Full Article