Kauto Star to Zarkandar: the best of Paul Nicholls' magic Newbury moments

Newbury's Betfair Super Saturday fixture this weekend looks set to be an important one for Paul Nicholls. Here, James Burn recalls five performances that left the multiple champion trainer all smiles on the day in recent years

Kauto Star
Aon Chase 2007

Nicholls was made to sweat during Kauto Star's nailbiting neck defeat of L'Ami, who gave the 2-9 favourite a huge scare. No damage was done however, and the victory teed up the legendary chaser to complete a sublime season by landing his first Cheltenham Gold Cup only a month later.

Master Minded and Ruby Walsh ping another fenceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Master Minded
Game Spirit Chase 2008

A handicap success at Sandown gave notice the then five-year-old was a horse going places, but his five-length dismissal of Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes at Newbury confirmed it. He was getting weight that afternoon, but the French-bred Master Minded proved the victory no fluke when thrashing his old rival next time out in that year's Champion Chase.

Denman with a super leap in the Aon ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Denman
Aon Chase 2008

What worked for Kauto worked for his famous stablemate, who tanked through the race that would later be renamed in his honour. The 1-4 shot slammed Regal Heights by 20 lengths before powering to victory with a dominant display in the Gold Cup, repelling his Ditcheat contemporary for a memorable success.

Al Ferof (grey) struck in the Grade 2 bumperCredit: Edward Whitaker

Al Ferof
Grade 2 bumper 2010

Formerly trained in Ireland, the John Hales-owned grey made his first start for Nicholls a winning one, staying on strongly for a five-length victory. He found Cue Card too strong in the following month's Champion Bumper, but won an outstanding running of the Supreme Novices' the following spring, beating Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card in the process.

Zarkandar (red silks, pink hoop) won under an inspired Ruby WalshCredit: Edward Whitaker

Zarkandar
Betfair Hurdle 2012

The top juvenile in an unbeaten 2010-11, Zarkandar missed most of the next season and did not appear again until the Betfair Hurdle — ten months removed from his last outing. He was well fancied though and went off 11-4 favourite in a field of 20, eventually scoring by one and a quarter lengths under an inspired Ruby Walsh ride.

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