Leading Exeter Trainer Paul Nicholls Could Be Set for Big Cheltenham Festival
Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls tops the standings at Exeter Racecourse this season. The Ditcheat man is a frequent visitor to the Devon-based racecourse with many of the leading stars from his stable.
Nicholls could be set for a big Cheltenham Festival this year, as he has some great chances across the week, which will help in his defence of the Trainers Championship this season. Here is a look at some of his leading hopes.
Stage Star – Turners Novices’ Chase
Grade One winner hurdler Stage Star has made an impressive start to his chase career, with three wins from four stars. He goes into the Turners Novices’ Chase on the back of two consecutive victories. He is 14/1 in the Cheltenham day 3 antepost betting for the Grade One contest. The seven-year-old gelding has won over the same course and distance as he will face at the Cheltenham Festival on his latest outing. He conceded weight to the rest of the field in an impressive performance. If he takes another step forward on the day three opener, he will have an excellent chance of success in the novice race.
Bravemansgame – Cheltenham Gold Cup
It has been 14 years since Nicholls last won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He dominated the Blue Riband race between 2007 and 2009 with Kauto Star and Denman. His latest 3m chaser could go on to be the leading star in the division, as Bravemansgame proved his class when winning in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He beat a strong field that day to convince his trainer he deserves a shot at this race.
With victory in the Charlie Hall Chase and his King George triumph this season, fewer horses in the Gold Cup field go into the contest with better form behind them than the Ditcheat runner. If he proves to be just as good over the extra distance at Cheltenham, he should be in the mix for this race along with defending champion A Plus Tard and exciting Irish chaser Galopin Des Champs.
Greaneteen – Queen Mother Champion Chase
As a two-time winner of the Haldon Gold Cup, including a victory earlier this season, regulars at Exeter Racecourse will be very familiar with Greaneteen. Nicholls’ chaser is entered in the feature race on day two of the Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
This year’s Championship contest over 2m may be set to be one of the races of the week at Cheltenham. Defending champion Energumene is in the field, last year’s Arkle Trophy winner Edwardstone is bidding to add another major prize this season, while Editeur Du Gite has proved himself over this course and distance.
Nicholls has won the Queen Mother Champion Chase a joint-record six times. Victory this year with Greaneteen would ensure he holds the record he currently shares with Tom Draper and Nicky Henderson outright.
Hopefully, we see some more of Nicholls’ biggest stars at Exeter Racecourse before the 2022/23 ends, including some of his winners from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
