For most National Hunt trainers, Paul Nicholls’ 2023/24 performance would represent the season of a lifetime. His 132 winners were more than any other trainer, with highlights including the Grade 1 duo of the Challow Novices’ Hurdle and Ascot Chase. A total of £2,887,312 in British prize money also put most in the shade but wasn’t quite enough to see Nicholls join the legendary Martin Pipe on 15 National Hunt Trainer’s Championship wins.
When all was said and done, Nicholls finished third in the prize money-determined title race, £94,107 behind his former assistant Dan Skelton and £438,823 adrift of winner Willie Mullins, who had the audacity to win the trainer’s championship on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Tragedy and Turmoil add to Difficulties
Whilst Nicholls may have failed to reach a record-equalling title, events on the track were put into perspective by the deaths of landlord and close friend Paul Barber, who passed away at the age of 80 in June 2023, and Keagan Kirkby, a worker at the yard, who tragically died at the age of 25 following a riding accident in February 2024.
An emotional farewell to Keagan Kirkby.
His favourite horse in the world, Highland Hunter, led his coffin on Tuesday.
Image Credit: @ppauk pic.twitter.com/IRNw1AdBcs
— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) March 9, 2024
Against that saddening backdrop, the unexpected decision of leading owner Chris Giles to sell his entire string of horses was a mere inconvenience. Nevertheless, the potential loss of a string of star performers threatened to strike a significant blow to the yard. Happily, Nicholls and allies were able to buy most of the Giles runners back into the yard, bolstering his arsenal ahead of what promises to be a productive 2024/25 campaign.
Talented Team Set for Battle
Having racked up 100+ winners in all but one of the past 23 seasons (the only blip coming in the afflicted 2019/20 season), Nicholls will almost certainly fire in the winners again in the current season. However, if he is to regain the trainer’s title, it is the big winners on the biggest days which matter most. As such, the yard will have high hopes that the following cast of stars can do their bit to send the prize money tally into the stratosphere.
Bravemansgame
Three-time Grade 1 winner whose most recent top-level success came when routing the opposition in the 2022 edition of the King George VI Chase.
This strapping chaser was unable to get his head in front last season but twice filled the runners-up spot in Grade 1 company, including when going down on his shield in the defence of his King George crown. Bravemansgame is set to return in the Charlie Hall Chase on the 2nd of November, ahead of a return visit to Kempton on Boxing Day.
Pic D’Orhy
Successful seven times at Grade 2 level or above, Pic D’Orhy doubled his Grade 1 tally when slamming the field in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Now nine years of age, expect to see this one lining up in the top 2m4f-2m5f chases, starting with the 1965 Chase at Ascot on the 25th of November.
Stage Star
A star of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival thanks to his brilliant win in the Turners’ Novices’ Chase, Stage Star returned in 2024 with a tremendous victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but failed to hit the heights in two subsequent starts.
If able to rediscover his best form, this eight-year-old has the talent to be a big player this season, but could only manage a fourth placed finish in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last Sunday.
Ginny’s Destiny
Kicking off 2023/24 on a rating of 135, Ginny’s Destiny rocketed through the novice chase ranks – winning three successive races at Cheltenham, and rounding off his season with runners-up finishes in the Turners Novices’ Chase and Manifesto Novices’ Chase. The son of star stayer Yeats is set to reappear in the Paddy Power Gold Cup ahead of a possible tilt at the King George.
Caldwell Potter
Formerly based at the yard of Gordon Elliott, Caldwell Potter set a new record for a National Hunt sale when fetching €740,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland A & G Brown dispersal in February 2024. Last sighted running away with the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, he’s an intriguing addition to Nicholls’ Novice Chase team.
Captain Teague
Having finished an excellent third in the 2023 Champion Bumper, this Doyen gelding blossomed over hurdles in 2024 – winning two of four starts, including the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Regent’s Stroll
Ex Chris Giles owned runner who was snapped up by Nicholls and Tom Malone for £660,000 Goffs UK Summer Sale. By star stallion Walk In The Park, he posted a perfect two-from-two record in bumpers and ranks among the most exciting novice hurdlers in the yard.
Khalif Du Berlais
As a horse who looks built to excel over fences, Khalif Du Berlais posted a hugely encouraging first season over hurdles – winning the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle before coming up short in the Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. This one is expected to be given an initial spin over hurdles but could be one to watch when tackling the larger obstacles.
