Why Paul Nicholls looks to be set for an exceptional 2021-22 season

The ITV cameras did not show it but on Saturday at Warwick there was further confirmation of Paul Nicholls’ brilliance.

Gold Bullion accelerated to a comfortable victory in the concluding bumper, making it 14 winners from 36 runners (39 per cent) for the trainer in that division so far this season.

Nicholls has long used bumpers to educate his young horses but this season’s squad looks better than he has had for some time.

Gold Bullion's owner, Malcolm Denmark, enjoyed a double on Saturday’s card and his renewed interest in jump racing has bolstered Nicholls' ranks, as November winners Petrossian and Chavez also run in his distinctive yellow, black and white silks.

Paul Vogt, owner of Frodon, and landlord Paul Barber, in whose silks Denman ran, are two other fierce supporters of the Ditcheat trainer and they have plenty to look forward to as well.

Paul and Megan Nicholls pictured after Knappers Hill's cosy Ascot winCredit: Edward Whitaker

Knappers Hill gained Listed honours at Ascot last month under Nicholls’ daughter Megan and the same owners share Flemenstide, who won at Exeter recently.

John Dance may have been disillusioned with the Flat game but his interest in this code seems to be going from strength to strength. He owns current Ballymore favourite Bravemansgame with Bryan Drew and has imposing Wetherby winner Mr Glass to look forward to next year as well.

Other bumper winners to note include the McNeill family’s Shearer, dual winner Rainyday Woman, Colm Donlon’s Silent Revolution and John Cotton’s Gelino Bello.

With such strength in depth in this particular area, Nicholls is doing what he does best: securing his long-term future at the very top.

He has long had a range of powerful owners behind him but the fact he is able to retain them in a period of such difficulty is testament to his class as a trainer and the quality of the experience he provides.

Rainyday Woman: unbeaten in bumpers after being purchased from Pam SlyCredit: Pool

There is also variety in this season's ranks given the range of pedigrees on display. Of all the names mentioned above, only two sires appear more than once in Flemensfirth (Shearer, Flemenstide) and Sholokhov (Mr Glass, Silent Revolution).

Nicholls is sourcing his stock from a range of backgrounds, with reliable lines like Kayf Tara (Rainyday Woman) represented as well as fresh faces like Valirann (Knappers Hill).

McFabulous is shining bright as a Nicholls bumper graduate – he won the Aintree Grade 2 in 2019 – and on this evidence he isn't going to be anything like the last to go on and excel over obstacles.

Ownership just the tonic for lockdown life

I don't think I've ever watched a Southwell card so intently as I did on Friday evening.

The reason being because, like so many other racing fans, I was lucky enough to be gifted a share in a horse for Christmas.

The horse in question is the Martin Smith-trained Morani Kali, who made his first racecourse appearance in the 7f auction maiden on the card.

A starting price of 40-1 summed up our expectations given he is a long-term project and we would have been delighted had he beaten one horse home.

The chestnut wonder ended up surpassing our expectations and beat five to the line, including the 15-8 favourite Open Mystery, facing the kickback like a trooper and staying on strongly after a slow start.

It is very easy to be pessimistic at the moment, but for a few of us the performance sparked real joy.

That is what racing is about and the less elitist and the more accessible it is, the better.

It has been said for a while now that well-run, affordable syndicates are the way forward for ownership in Britain. In general there is still a long way to go – the regulation and running of them needs to be monitored – but there are so many reasons to be optimistic.

In last week's column I mentioned about racing being for everyone, and in ownership terms at least, it is beginning to become more achievable.

Playle's nap

Global Fame
2.40 Chepstow, Wednesday

Fergal O'Brien's yard continues to operate at a very decent strike-rate and this horse has been on my radar since his debut. He was just five lengths behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Harry Senior on hurdling debut at this track last year before winning at Wetherby and has always struck me as a horse for handicaps. His jumping wasn't up to scratch when aiming to give away weight on his seasonal debut but this should be much more his bag. This doesn't look a deep race and I expect him to prove considerably better than a mark of 128. On the same card, Le Cameleon and Kapga De Lily also look good punting prospects.

Benson (pink and yellow): can be taken on at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Playle's lay

Benson
1.50 Ascot, Saturday

Last weekend's lay Next Destination was the first in this section to go and win (admittedly only two others were declared, making his life easier) and this horse certainly has the potential to go and do the same. However, Benson is a certified nutcase, as he proved when unseating in last year's Contenders Hurdle and at this track last time, when it looked like he attempted to run out two hurdles from home. He finished like a train to be fourth but any horse with his questionable attitude deserves to be taken on at the top of the market and at first glance I'm very interested in the Jessica Harrington-trained Wingin A Prayer.

Read more from Maddy Playle:

Wedge and Frost comments show where racing must progress

The veterans' series is a monumental success -– and it is vital it stays as it is

No allowance needed: why a 25-1 shot should be added to your ante-post portfolio

Yorkhill transformation a feat which deserves joyous celebration

Arkle dark horse has what it takes to tackle red-hot Shishkin

If racing is to develop it's vital it listens to those who speak out on race

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