Nicholls taking things steady as new season cranks up
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 6 Oct 2026
Paul Nicholls expects it could be a slow-burning start to the new campaign after a red-hot summer, but the 14-times champion trainer is delighted to be back in action this weekend at Chepstow.
The Ditcheat handler is likely to only send four runners to Monmouthshire, which has seen all scheduled races over fences at the three-day event that begins on Friday moved elsewhere.
Although he has a smaller squad than usual, Nicholls is excited for the traditional jumps season opener.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Betfair ambassador Nicholls said. “I’ve not got as many as normal to run this year because the ground’s a bit of an issue and all the chases have been abandoned.
“So horses who may have run in a chase, we’ve had to sit tight on or we’ll go elsewhere if we get some rain. So we’re going to have a small team of four runners.
“It’s been a challenge this autumn with the ground and I’ve not really wanted to rush too many to get ready in a hurry.
“It’s traditionally what I’ve always thought was the start of the season, but I think it’s going to be a slow start to the season for most of us unless the weather changes.”
Stick To The Board leads the team heading to Wales, with the five-year-old holding an entry for the Grade Two Persian War Novices’ Hurdle on the opening day of the meeting and another in a maiden hurdle on Saturday.
He looks set to go in the latter, with Fasol also going in a handicap hurdle despite a Silver Trophy entry, while Treasure Planet and Too Many Acres complete the line-up.
“He’s a nice horse is Stick To The Board, he won his only bumper last year for us,” Nicholls said.
“He’s got two options, he’s in the Persian War and the maiden hurdle. If Lord Byron, who is rated 147, and Dan (Skelton) runs a couple, I’m going to go for the maiden hurdle on Saturday because we’ll be chucking him in the deep end a bit if they all run.
“I’m probably better off running him in a maiden hurdle and then progressing to something.
“I started Bravemansgame at this meeting in a maiden hurdle and he actually got beat a short head and then he ended up winning a Challow Hurdle three runs after that.
“I think probably, unless the Friday cuts up, we’re going to go on Saturday and then build the season around that.
“Fasol will run on Friday (in the LSL Racing Handicap Hurdle), he’s got plenty of weight and always runs really well.
“He needed the run first time out last year, but I’ve finally got on with him so I like to think he’s fairly ready, but he’s probably handicapped to his best.”
:: Paul Nicholls was speaking at Betfair’s launch of the new horse racing jump season. Everyone’s got an opinion. Back yours at Betfair.
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