Paul Nicholls Stable Tour 2022/23 Season

Crowned Champion Trainer for the 13th time last season, Paul Nicholls is back to his best and has a strong team of horses that mean he has both youth and experience in the ranks ahead of the new campaign where he is the favourite again to become the Champion Trainer for a 14th time.

10yo Bay Gelding

Winner of one from four last season but he finished second or third on every other start, he ran largely in Grade 1 company (won the Betway Bowl in good style). Clan Des Obeaux is an established G1 horse, who will look to increase his G1 tally this season with lots of the bigger names in the chasing division likely sticking to a mile or 3m+, which leaves the middle distance chase division for the taking.

7yo Bay Gelding

Three from four last season, starting with a success in good company on his first chase start at Newton Abbot. He progressed nicely but was found out at Aintree when running particularly poorly. He will need a trouble free season this year to showcase his ability to best effect. He’s still a hugely promising G1 winner.

6yo Bay Gelding

Hitman is still relatively unexposed, he definitely remains with untapped potential in abundance. He didn’t manage to get his head in front at all last year, but he ran respectively in competitive graded races and strong handicaps. He should have improved and strengthened over the summer – if he has, he might well develop into a serious player in G1 company.

8yo Bay Gelding

Greaneteen had five runs last year, and he took two races, both G1’s at Sandown. He clearly enjoys it there, and he’ll likely be aimed at another tilt at the Tingle Creek, as Paul Nicholls is a trainer of habit

8yo Bay Gelding

McFabulous has been a “nearly” horse for the last few seasons, probably just short of G1 level but a bit better than those below G1 level. He did actually bag a G2 on his final start of the year at Sandown. McFabulous is largely inconsistent, so he’ll have to work on his consistency.

6yo Bay Gelding

Gelino Bello is an up and coming type of horse, who’s progressed through the grades nicely, running well in good company. He had a 50% strike rate last season, which culminated in the G1 Sefton Novice Hurdle at the Aintree festival. He will likely be a player in the staying hurdle division this year, now out of novice company.

7yo Bay Gelding

Threeunderthrufive had a busy enough season last year, running six times. He did manage to get his head in front four times. He was well beaten in the Brown Advisory though, which represented his first start in G1 company. He’s a solid horse who will likely progress again.

7yo Bay Gelding

Pic D’Orhy had a relatively good time of things last season, winning two Grade 2’s and running well on several other occasions. He seemed a chaser going places last year but he is susceptible to a blunder here or there. He will be one to keep an eye on transitioning into open company.

9yo Bay Gelding

Only last season did Saint Calvados move yards to Paul Nicholls from Harry Whittington. He didn’t have *the* most productive season but he did bow out with a victory in the G2 Oaksey Chase in brilliant style. He will likely be a strong player this year after settling into the Ditcheat yard.

6yo Bay Gelding

Knappers Hill ran seven times last year, and he seemed to struggle in graded company, his only wins came in novice or handicap company. He will need to improve should he be aimed at some of the better races this season.

5yo Black Gelding

Monmiral is a horse who remains with a great deal of untapped potential. He didn’t manage to win last season, but he did have a stop start campaign with a few niggles. If he gets an uninterrupted season, he might well be up to the top level.

6yo Bay Gelding

Stage Star was a shade disappointing towards the back end of last season, but he’s reportedly summered well and really filled his frame. If he has strengthened as per the reports, he could be a completely different animal - he’s already a G1 winner.

6yo Bay Gelding

Timeforatune ran three times last season and he won twice. He won both his bumpers in good style and he looked to be going places. He did run below par when quietly fancied in a listed Newbury bumper - but he remains with a great deal of potential. He’s definitely one for the better novice hurdles this year.

6yo Bay Gelding

Brave Kingdom is another horse to move from Harry Whittington to Paul Nicholls. He won 2/3 last season and he looked a horse going places. He was tried in a G2 at Sandown in December and he looked a bit below the grade at that stage. He should pick up a few nice prizes this year.

10yo Bay Gelding

Frodon, one of the stable stars looks set for another cracking campaign. He took the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on his first start of the season at Down Royal against a quality field. This will likely be his main target again, and he often runs well fresh.

5yo Bay Gelding

Henri The Second definitely looks like one to keep on side. He was a winner of two above average bumpers before a muddling run on his final start at Aintree, he lost his action and pulled up. He’s well bred, already ran to a good level and he looks sure to be a big player in the novice hurdle ranks, if sound after a summer of recovery.

5yo Bay Mare

Dancingontheedge is a promising young mare, who’s one from one so far in her career. She won her bumper first time out at Worcester, comfortably by eight and a half lengths. She won in the style of a good horse and she’s one to keep an eye on this season with very much a jumping pedigree.

6yo Bay Gelding

Shearer is well bred, and he’s relatively unexposed to date. He had a relatively good season last season, but he was probably stretched stamina wise at three miles on his final start last season. He is a nice type and he looks to have a bright future.

4yo Bay Gelding

Iceo won on UK debut for Paul Nicholls at Kempton in ridiculously easy fashion. He was then tried twice in G2 company but ultimately fell short of the standard. He’s too unexposed to give up on entirely, he did sparkle on debut.

7yo Bay Mare

Rainyday Woman has the constitution to match her ability. She’s such a likeable mare and she was firmly on the up last season, if she’s strengthened again throughout the summer she’ll have a say in lots of competitive races.

8yo Bay Gelding

Rouge Vif is a smart horse who’s seemingly on a downward spiral. But if Nicholls can realign his campaign geared towards valuable handicaps, connections may be in business. Rouge Vif was soundly beaten on all three of his starts in graded company last season. He was then tried in a handicap at Newton Abbot, but he failed to complete. He may have a successful season this year if campaigned at a lower level.

10yo Chestnut Gelding

Topofthegame is a horse we’ve not seen in a long while. Not since he finished second in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in 2019. Prior to that he had won the RSA (Brown Advisory) in gutsy fashion. He’s been off the track due to injury, but he held Gold Cup aspirations and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing him return to the track. Is he still as good as he once was?

Grand National the big aim.