Paul Nicholls on his Friday runners including Black Corton and Dolos at Cheltenham

By Sporting Life

Horse Racing

Thu December 10, 2020 · 4y ago

Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls feels Lucky One will have plenty in his favour when he steps up in class at Cheltenham on Friday.

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Best chance

Lucky One - 11.30 Cheltenham

He won easily last time and is progressing nicely.

Cheltenham

11:30 - Lucky One

He has improved on each start for us and won a maiden hurdle unchallenged last time at Southwell for which he earned a 6lb penalty. While this is a step up in class, he is going the right way and looks to have a sound chance.

12:05 - Fabulous Saga

He had some really smart form in Ireland, winning four times over hurdles including a Grade Two event at Limerick before fading out of things after leading going to the final flight in the 2018 Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham. Fabulous Saga hasn’t run for over a thousand days so has a lot on his plate in this novice chase. He has had a similar preparation this autumn as another long time absentee Next Destination before his excellent re-appearance at Wetherby. Although we have done plenty with Fabulous Saga at home and he has schooled nicely, he is bound to improve a fair bit for the outing.

13:50 - Dolos

I was very keen on his chances in this race on Sunday at Huntingdon as he is well suited by racing on a flat track. Two and a half miles is ideal for Dolos who is so consistent and again ran a fine race under top weight at Cheltenham in October when fourth to Rouge Vif. But I’d have been more confident if the race hadn’t been transferred from Huntingdon to Cheltenham.

14:55 - Black Corton

He was rather unlucky at Ascot last time when he stumbled on landing and parted company with Bryony Frost. Life isn’t easy for him off a mark of 160 but he seems very well and I’m putting on cheek pieces to try to sharpen him up a bit. He’s won twice at Cheltenham in the past and will run his usual genuine race though he wouldn’t want too much rain overnight.

Doncaster

14:17 - Ecco

I was pleased with his last run at Ascot where he was staying on nicely at the finish when third to a decent type called Buzz. His jockey Harry Cobden felt he wants further now so I’m hoping this step up in trip to two miles, three and a half furlongs is just the ticket for him on ground that is drying out.