Nicholls unwraps exciting novice chaser Old Guard
Excitement builds when a horse trained by Paul Nicholls with half-decent form over hurdles makes their novice chasing debut, such is the champion trainer's reputation over fences.
When that horse is Old Guard – who was more than half-decent, winning the Greatwood and International before finishing fourth behind Faugheen in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle – the excitement gets ratcheted up a few notches. And when as fine a judge as the ten-time champion trainer has already made comparisons with Champion Chase winner Dodging Bullets, things reach fever pitch.
"Old Guard's been schooling well and Newton Abbot is a great place to start off," said Nicholls. "I wanted to run him somewhere small to give him a bit of experience before looking for something bigger."
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- 7.40 Kempton: could Duke Of Oxford be peaking at the right time to repeat last season's victory in series final?
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