Paul Nicholls Stable Tour & Horses To Follow (2022/23)

18/04/2024
8 min. read
Paul Nicholls horses in training
Alex McMahon Sport
By Alex McMahon

Paul Nicholls is one of the top trainers in National Hunt racing, amassing over 3,000 winners throughout his career.

A 13-time champion trainer in the United Kingdom, Nicholls’ Ditcheat empire is rocking and rolling ahead of what could be another memorable season.

While many of his horses feature in horse racing betting odds for the Cheltenham Festival, Nicholls admits that Aintree is just as important when it comes to his yard.

Here, we look at 10 of the best Paul Nicholls horses to follow in 2022/23. The Ditcheat handler will take some stopping in his pursuit of trainers' title number 14.

Bravemansgame

One of the best novice chasers last season, Bravemansgame won his Grade 1 at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and he looks like a proper winter horse.

The King George VI Chase has been his long term target for some time but Nicholls will want to get a prep run into him before heading to Kempton.

There are plenty of options for Bravemansgame; an Intermediate Chase at Sandown is one while the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby is another alternative.

Bet Calculator

However, I think he is most likely to go for the 1965 Chase at Ascot. Nicholls has won the race on seven occasions and Bravemansgame can make it eight before the King George.

Clan Des Obeaux

One of the highest profile Paul Nicholls horses in training, Clan Des Obeaux was touted for a shot at the Coral Gold Cup – formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Unfortunately, he suffered a minor setback which will keep him out until the second half of the season. The Betway Bowl at Aintree in April is now his main target for the year.

Nicholls admitted in a recent interview that the injury doesn’t look too serious and let’s hope that Clan Des Obeaux manages to recapture his best form later in the season.

A fantastic servant for the entire Ditcheat team, he is now 10 years old and owes nothing to connections but it would be great to see him win another Grade 1.

Frodon

The Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal is Frodon’s main target this season and he produced a superb performance to win the race last year.

While the early entries point towards a much stronger renewal this season, Frodon will be primed and 100% ready for that day and that day alone.

Everything else this season will be a bonus and Bryony Frost is now fully recovered from her injury so may be booked to partner up with her beloved Frodon once again.

The King George has been mentioned but that is almost certainly an afterthought compared to Down Royal. First time out will be the time to back Frodon this season.

Greaneteen

Greaneteen enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 season, winning the Tingle Creek in the first half of the season and the Celebration Chase at the end of it.

Nicholls has mapped out a very similar route for him this year, starting off in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter before heading to Sandown for the Tingle Creek.

From there, the plan is a little murkier but a stab at the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be on the cards if he wins in December.

One of the most consistent Paul Nicholls horses in training, Greaneteen probably doesn’t get the credit that he deserves. He is a very, very good horse.

Henri The Second

A nice winner of a Listed bumper at Ascot in December, Henri The Second is a nice prospect for novice hurdles and the form of that win looks solid enough.

He beat the Gary Moore-trained Authorised Speed by a length and he finished best of the British contingent in the 2022 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

He suffered a race-ending injury at Aintree on his final appearance of last season but is now back to full fitness and Paul Nicholls has hinted at following the Stage Star route.

The Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle is his main aim this season and anything else will be a bonus. He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting horses at Ditcheat.

Knappers Hill

Knappers Hill was much the best horse in the race when winning the Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance.

He is now rated 146 over hurdles and you’d have to feel that he has another big handicap in him off that sort of mark.

However, connections have mentioned the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton as a potential target and Nicholls has won the race a record seven times.

He has matured over the summer and chasing could be an option down the line but it looks like he will stay over hurdles for now. After all, there are plenty of big pots to be won…

McFabulous

It was disappointing to see McFabulous pulled from making his long-awaited chase debut at Chepstow but it was absolutely the right decision on the ground.

There are plenty of opportunities for Nicholls to get him out and we will hopefully see him entered up prior to the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton.

The Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day has been touted as his main aim for the season but he’ll need to sparkle if he is to take his chance in that race.

Reportedly working very well at home, he is one of the top rated Paul Nicholls horses in training this season and could be one to keep onside if he hits the ground running.

Monmiral

I really wanted to see Monmiral over fences last season but connections opted to keep him over hurdles for another year – and he ran admirably despite failing to win a race.

Still rated 149 over hurdles, he’s going to be an exciting horse to follow over fences if he can emulate that level of form over the larger obstacles.

Unlike many Paul Nicholls horses, he is one who could be aimed at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 as the Arkle Novices’ Chase could be right up his street.

Let’s see how he gets on in the early stages of his chasing career before marking Grade 1 dates in the calendar but he’s certainly a horse I like a lot.

Stage Star

Hopefully Stage Star is completely over his gastric ulcer issue as he looked like a proper Grade 1 animal when winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed that he has had a wind operation this summer and the Owners Group are going to have lots of fun with him throughout the year.

He was reportedly ‘electric’ over his fences when schooling and connections will be looking forward to his debut – most probably in a beginners chase this side of Christmas.

Nicholls says that they’ll take their time with him this year and he could be one to watch in one of the big spring festivals if everything goes to plan.

Threeunderthrufive

One of my favourite horses at Ditcheat, Threeunderthrufive was very consistent last season – winning four of his five novice chases before an admiral effort at the Festival.

The ground went against him that day but he still finished within 20 lengths of L’Homme Press in the end. He’s a much better animal on a better surface.

According to reports, he has summered well and looks very strong ahead of his return to the track. The Coral Gold Cup could be the ideal starting point for him…

Nicholls has mentioned that race for him and a prep run over hurdles could blow the cobwebs away for a serious shot at winning the big Newbury handicap.

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th October 2021

About the Author See all Alex McMahon Articles
Alex McMahon
Alex McMahon Sport

Alex is a sports betting tipster, specialising in Premier League football, the Champions League and horse racing.

He loves placing a weekly accumulator on the football at the weekend and dreams of landing the big winner that will take him back to Las Vegas.

As well as writing sports betting tips for 888sport since 2015, Alex has produced content for several international media companies, such as Goal.com and The SPORTBible.