No headlong rush for title as Nicholls continues search for a star

Keeping up the pressure

After the golden years of Kauto Star et al, Paul Nicholls has had to be philosophical and hard-grafting in equal measure, replacing a torrent of success at the highest level with a flood of winners one notch down the scale.

Last season's four Grade 1s were delivered by Politologue (twice), Black Corton and Diego Du Charmil, and all three will be called upon to produce the goods again as Nicholls goes in pursuit of Nicky Henderson once more. The master of Manor Farm Stables doesn't expect to take the title back from his old rival and is lagging behind after a quiet summer, but he believes he has a strong team of novice chasers – including Captain Cattistock, Master Tommytucker, Movewiththetimes and Topofthegame – and is hopeful that Politologue, last year's Tingle Creek hero, will be able to prove his aptitude for a three-mile test, perhaps avoid Altior, and earn some big money into the bargain

"He'll probably be ready to run at the end of November, either in the Betfair Chase over three miles or over two miles five at Ascot the same day, and we'll step him up in trip from there," says Nicholls. "I think as he gets older and stronger his stamina will come into play more and a trip will suit him, although he'd probably still win over two on testing ground. His first couple of runs will tell us where we go, but he's very well."