Betting
Exclusive: Destiny Calling for Paul Nicholls as Somerset Handler Targets Paddy Power Gold Cup
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls eyes a comeback in the Paddy Power Gold Cup with favorites Ginny's Destiny and Il Ridoto. Nicholls discusses his strategic approach, team rebuilding, and future ambitions in jump racing
SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.
Image Credits: Harry Trump/Getty Images
Multiple Champion NH Trainer Paul Nicholls may have made a subdued start to the new campaign, but hopes are high in Somerset that the season is about to take off for a stable which have dominated UK jump racing for two decades.
Paul Nicholls will launch a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham as he bids to kick-start a campaign which is yet to truly ignite.
Ante-post favourite Ginny’s Destiny and Prestbury Park regular Il Ridoto will represent the 14-times champion trainer in the weekend’s showpiece chase as the Somerset trainer bids to repeat last year’s success with Stage Star.
Nicholls has undergone an uncharacteristically quiet start to the new National Hunt campaign with many of his runners appearing to look in need of their first run of the season.
However, a dip in his usually healthy strike rate has not unduly concerned the 62-year-old who has all but ruled himself out of challenging for a title race as he concentrates on nurturing a team of exciting new equine talent.
“We’ve just made a bit of a slow start to the season but in a lot of ways that’s fine as I’m not chasing a championship as we have no chance of winning a title this year unless something changes rapidly in the near future,” Nicholls told SportsBoom.com.
“We have a lot of young horses and a big team for the future which will need some patience. You never say never, but we have to be realistic – Dan (Skelton) seems to have a huge number of horses, and he will be difficult to beat.”
“I haven’t run many of the really good horses yet, they are all waiting in the wings, and we have a lot of nice young horses to run; Caldwell Potter, Captain Teague, Kalif Du Berlais are all ready to go chasing and the likes of Regent’s Stroll, who will be running at Newbury in a couple of weeks, and recent Chepstow winner Quebecois, I haven’t even scratched the surface with yet.”
“They are probably horses for the future, not now, and we are rebuilding the team. We have had some amazing horses over the years with Silviniaco Conti coming hard on the heels of Kauto Star and then the likes of Clan Royale etc winning big races.”
I haven’t got the firepower that Willie Mullins has – I don’t think many trainers have in the UK – so you must try and be selective and produce your own horses
Paul Nicholls
“I love bringing the young horses through. I’ve learned to be patient rather than rushing horses too much. If you get going in October with loads of winners, you will often find those horses don’t get through to the end of the season.”
The progressive Ginny’s Destiny is one such example of how Nicholls can dramatically improve a horse.
Beaten 29 lengths on his first start for the stable after joining Ditcheat from Tom Lacey, the son of Yeats then reeled off three Cheltenham victories before posting a career best when runner-up to Gold Cup aspirant Grey Dawning in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March.
The eight-year-old wound up a terrific campaign with another silver medal at Aintree behind Il Etait Temps in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase and his handler believes there is further improvement to come.
Nicholls added: “The biggest thing last year was that he really needed the run first time as he came to us quite fat.”
“We’ve done a lot with him – so much so that we’ve been able to back off him a fraction this week. He went for an away day with Bravemansgame so I’d say he’s fairly straight without a run.”
He surprised us how he improved last year as, even though he worked quite nicely when we first had him, he was still massive on his first run when he was beaten.
Paul Nicholls
“However, Harry (Cobden) got off him and said he’d win next time – something he’s been saying a bit this year too!”
“Then he went and won and then won again and at home he was progressing and getting better and better. His form was very good in the spring, and I’ll be interested when he goes over three miles as he might improve again.”
“He’s dead straightforward at home, he’s got a bit of class and takes all the work you throw at him. You’d love a yard full of horses like him.”
Nicholls can also count on a live second string in Il Ridoto who has the benefit of race fitness.
“Freddie (Gingell) will ride definitely ride Il Ridoto as he rode him a couple of times last year. He needed the run at Chepstow the other day and has dropped a couple of pounds to a mark he can be competitive off.”
“I think the ground will be fine, Freddie takes 3lb off him and he’s had a run, so he has a live chance.”
Nicholls also had a final word for those suggesting his powers might be dimming, reiterating his hunger to remain a major force at the top level.
“I’m in it for the long term and I’m not thinking of packing up – I want to train for another 10 to 15 years and get back to having strength in depth again, that’s the plan,” he revealed.
“The one thing I wouldn’t be afraid to do is reduce the numbers from 150 to 100. The best years I ever had was when we trained 80 to 100 horses and, although you would never turn business down, if you’re not careful you end up with 150 horses of which 50 are overrated or not good enough to win races.”
“You’re better off to concentrate on quality horses and quality staff which makes things easier to manage. Some of my bigger owners and breeders have said ‘are you just going to drop back your numbers a little bit?’ and at some time in the future I might just do it.”
“But that’s not to say I’m not hungry. I still love it and I’m as hungry and competitive as ever to produce those good horses.”
Sam is an award-winning horseracing journalist with more than three decades of experience in the industry.
During a 20-year association with the Daily Mail newspaper in England, he has also covered the sport at the highest level on both terrestrial and Sky television channels and more recently has worked in Dubai acting as Editor for the region’s racing magazine, Adiyat Racing Plus.
As well as following horseracing passionately, Sam is a life-long cricket lover, while he also supports Wolverhampton Wanderers (for his sins).
- Betting Apps
- Acca Insurance Betting Sites
- Cash Out Betting Sites
- Best Esports Betting Sites
- Horse Race Betting Sites
- Best Online Casinos
- Betting Strategies
- Betting Reviews
- Betting Sites With the Best Bonus Offers
- Betting in Las Vegas
- Best Live Streaming
- Fastest Withdrawal Betting Sites
- Best Free Bets
- Betting Predictions
- Best Odds Guaranteed Bookmakers
- Low or No Minimum Deposit
- Payment Methods
- Safest Betting Sites
- Betting Rules