National Hunt racing is back! Why Paul Nicholls is the trainer to follow this week

There’s a loose understanding that summer National Hunt racing is separate from the autumn to spring programme. Chepstow’s two-day fixture this week is often considered to be the unofficial start of the season and there’s plenty to look forward to over the next few weeks. This week is often a key one for the Paul Nicholls yard and this is why he’s the trainer to follow. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Wednesday

Ludlow’s fixture on Wednesday has encouraged an interesting entry from Nicholls in the shape of Rickety Bridge. This British point winner got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking, scoring comfortably at Southwell in March. His novice status won’t last for long so this looks like a good opportunity.

Thursday

There are another couple of interesting entries at Exeter on Thursday, including the progressive Florencethemachine. She won a couple of times over hurdles last term and fences can encourage further improvement this season.

The useful Cat Tiger could also make his seasonal reappearance upon returning to Nicholls’ yard and will surely be on the premises if lining up.

Chepstow

Nicholls always targets this meeting in a big way and it would be a shock if he didn’t come away with several winners from the two-day fixture. Useful bumper winner Teeshan could make his hurdling debut in the Grade 2 Persian War and he could be one to watch this year.

Isaac Des Obeaux was a pretty useful novice hurdler last term and as with most of the yard’s horses, fences are likely to be the making of him. He could start his chasing career on Friday and the 133-rated gelding should be winning plenty of races this season.

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