Nichols Canyon

16th-Mar-2017

Nichols Canyon would have a big chance in the Stayers' Hurdle on his best form, and the fact that Ruby Walsh is riding him in front of Shaneshill (who has been second three times at the Festival) and Clondaw Warrior (who is part-owned by his wife Gillian) is significant.

Nichols Canyon is top class, he is a six-time Grade 1 winner, and it may be that he needs further than two miles these days to be at his best.  He has only run over this distance once, in America, but he excels over two and a half and he was a stayer in the flat for John Gosden.

He is another with strong Cheltenham Festival form – third in a Neptune Hurdle, third in a Champion Hurdle – and he could run a big race today.

Unowhatimeanharry is obviously a worthy favourite, but the drying ground may bring him closer to his rivals that the market suggests.

NICHOLS CANYON WON (ADV 12/1, SP 10/1)