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Quote from Andy RAC – “Not sure I’d agree with that. It sounds as if you’re saying that Flat trainers are better than NH trainers. Whilst I don’t disagree with the names you mention, both O’Briens have proved themselves at both codes.
What about some of the NH legends; Rimell, Walwyn, Winter for example?”I’d agree that all 3 were great trainers. I’d also agree that both O’B’s were indeed spectacularly successful with jumpers. I wouldn’t say that any of the three were exceptional, relative to the quintet I have mentioned. Would you place Fred Rimell above any of those five, for example. He’s a legend, yes, a great trainer with a great record, yes but did he dominate in the way those five have? I dunno, maybe those three were a bit ahead of my time and I’m underestimating them somewhat.
As the flat season is starting to draw to a close and the jumps season proper starts towards the end of october. All eyes will be on that all-conquering ditcheat stable of Paul Nicholls. After a remarkable season in 2007/08 that included 13 Grade 1 winners, over £4 million in prize money in the uk and ireland (remarkable by national hunt standards) and a 1-2-3 finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup it will be interesting to see if those high standards of last year will be exceeded. Does anyone think Paul Nicholls will emulate what Aidan O’Brien has done on the flat and dominate most top races. Aidan O’Brien so far has won 20 Group 1 races and with the flat season still far from over that number will be exceed. Will Paul Nicholls train 20 Grade 1 winners in the forthcoming season. He has already stated that he wants to become champion trainer both sides of the irish sea. What he does have is great strengh in depth in 3 mile chasers. Apart from Denman and Kauto Star theres also the likes of Neptune Collonges and also Big Bucks. There must be at least 6 or 7 staying chasers capable of winning the King George VI Chase and the Gold Cup. He has no shortage of novice chasers as well – Nevada Royale, Thetotherone.Gansey etc. If all his novice chasers do well then theres going to be fireworks in 2009/10. There are plenty of great 2 mile chasers and his hurdlers both 2 mile and also staying hurdlers are also improving too. He could run any of his horses in Grade 1 races anywhere in the uk, ireland and even autueil. So he could get near the number of group 1 winners that Aidan O’Brien has managed on the flat. Does anyone think that Paul Nicholls has modelled his stable on ballydolye? I have already got butterfiles in my stomach for the jumps season I cannot wait.
Totally agree with you on that.
I have stated on here many times that Paul Nicholls can easily emulate what Michael Dickinson did and have the first seven home in the Gold Cup providing all goes according to plan.
I bought Mark Howards One Jump Ahead and from reading all the various stables and especially Paul Nicholls’ section which has more fire power than the Army in it i am chomping at the bit for the National Hunt to get going into full swing.
As for 20 Grade 1 winners i think that will be tricky especially with horses like Juvenile Hurdlers as Alan King and Phillip Hobbs who do run horses on the flat may have the edge on him.
But you never do know in this sport what is occuring, after all who though Kauto Star would be beaten three times last season and that Our Vic would finally win a Cheltenham Festival race.
I cannot wait for it to get going, By god it will be some season i hope.
"I have already got butterfiles in my stomach for the jumps season I cannot wait."
Get a grip, man!
Colin
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