‘I have plenty of chances but this one stands out’ – Paul Nicholls bullish over 5-1 horse kept fresh for Sandown
PAUL NICHOLLS won’t go down without a fight in the champion jumps trainer battle – and is banking on this 5-1 chance to land a decent prize at Sandown.
Betfair ambassador Nicholls is currently third in the standings behind Dan Skelton and leader Willie Mullins.
But there’s hundreds of thousands up for grabs at the jumps finale on Saturday and Nicholls reckons he can make a late charge.
Speaking to Betfair, he singled out one horse in particular who he has kept fresh for the seven-runner Grade 2 Oaksey Chase.
Owned by a group that includes Sir Alex Ferguson, Hitman was last seen finishing eighth in the Ryanair to winner Protektorat.
But the Ditcheat boss reckons the key to unlocking this horse is good ground – something he could get at the Surrey track.
Nicholls told Betfair: “Hitman has had issues over the years but is smart on his day as he showed when chasing home Shishkin in the Denman Chase at Newbury in February.
“Next time he couldn’t handle the deep ground in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.
“I’ve always thought this race over a trip of two miles, six furlongs on good ground should be ideal for Hitman.
“He is in good shape, escapes any penalties and wearing blinkers first time could make a difference.
“I’ve kept him fresh for this and think he has a great chance.
“I have plenty of good chances on the day but my best bet would be Hitman, who has plenty in his favour.”
Nicholls sends three to the feature bet365 Gold Cup and picked out another of his who is in the ‘form of his life’.
Last year’s champion trainer said: “Threeunderthrufive has been in decent form on all three starts since a wind op last summer.
“He went close in the Badger Beer at Wincanton and a Premier handicap at Cheltenham before winning tidily at Ascot in February.
“We had the option of running him in the Grand National but chose to keep him for this race.
“Top weight of 12st makes live tough for Threeunderthrufive who enjoys going right-handed and seems in the form of his life.”
Nicholls also has Enrilo (25-1) and Flash Collonges (50-1) in the 20-runner race worth a shade under £100,000 to the winner.
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