Posh Trish out to continue Paul Nicholls' post-Christmas cheer at Taunton

Paul Nicholls will be hoping his red-hot form continues as he saddles the useful Posh Trish in Taunton’s feature Listed Weatherbys General Stud Book Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2.55).

The five-year-old, who turns out quickly after a straightforward success at Wincanton on Boxing Day, bids to add a third Listed victory to her name after landing a mares’ bumper at Cheltenham last November before beating Lust For Glory at Newbury this month.

Assistant trainer Harry Derham said: “It’s plenty soon enough after Wincanton but we felt that strictly on form she’s the best horse in the race so we’ll let her take her chance..

Watch Posh Trish win at Newbury

"At some stage she’ll step up in trip, but she’s winning at two miles at the moment. It’s a good little race but on form she’s the best horse in it and hopefully she’ll go very close.

“She’s been fine since Wincanton and we’re hopeful of a good run.”

Among Posh Trish’s rivals is the Fergal O’Brien-trained Oscar Rose, last seen finishing runner-up to Sensulano in a mares’ handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, and Listed bumper winner Dissavril.

Dell' Arca seeks a return to form

David Pipe has also had his string in decent form and he bids for another good handicap chase prize in The Last Fling Handicap Chase (2.00) at Haydock.

The West Country trainer saddles the talented but somewhat quirky Dell’ Arca and Pipe will be hoping for a return to form from the nine-year-old gelding, who runs in the colours of Caroline Tisdall.

Ami Desbois: back to form after a difficult springCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Graeme McPherson-trained Ami Desbois finished a respectable third at Chepstow last time and that form was franked when Ramses De Teillee, the winner on that occasion, went on to finish second in the Welsh Grand National on Thursday.

McPherson said of the eight-year-old: “He’s come out of his Chepstow run in sparkling form and I think he’ll have come on for the run.

“That was his first completion for the best part of 12 months. He he had a couple of problems in the spring but he seems to be over those. The form of his Chepstow race has been boosted and I expect him to run a nice race.”

Back To The Thatch finished one place behind Ami Desbois in fourth at Chepstow and trainer Henry Daly is confident of a good show from his six-year-old. He said: “The form looks fairly solid and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t run well.”

Muratello another useful import?

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have enjoyed significant success with French-bred recruits, with the likes of Peace And Co and We Have A Dream, and Muratello is the latest to make his British debut in the two-tone green colours.

Previously trained in France by Guillaume Macaire, the four-year-old makes his first start for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the 1m7½f novice hurdle (1.25).

By Blue Bresil, who sired last season’s Ryanair Hurdle winner Mick Jazz and Grand Annual winner Le Prezien, this gelding looks to have the pedigree and talent to make up into a smart performer on this side of the Channel.

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