Turf Talk: Cliffs Of Dover earns rest after chalking up six of the best

Paul Nicholls is giving Cliffs Of Dover a break before preparing him for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Trainer Paul NichollsTrainer Paul Nicholls
Trainer Paul Nicholls

The three-year-old will have a prep run in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in February before heading to the Festival.

Cliffs Of Dover earned quotes between 12-1 and 20-1 for the Triumph after taking his tally over jumps to six wins with an impressive display in the Grade Two Summit Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday. Nicholls said: “Cliffs Of Dover will have a proper break now. We will just keep him ticking over before aiming him at the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton ahead of the Triumph Hurdle.”

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Nicholls also struck at Doncaster with Present Man, who could make a quick return to action at Kempton on Boxing Day. The trainer said: “As he looks as though he wants to go right-handed I might run him in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, which is sure to cut up if Thistlecrack goes for it.”

Stablemate Arpege D’Alene could also be in action over the Christmas period, with the Coral Welsh National an option if the rain stays away from Chepstow.

The novice plugged on promisingly for second place behind Singlefarmpayment over nearly three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham on Friday.

“He has 10st 7lb in the Coral Welsh National but is unlikely to go to Chepstow if the ground is soft,” said the Ditcheat handler. “Further ahead, he looks one for the four-mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and the Scottish Grand National.”

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Frodon was the headline act for the Nicholls team over the weekend with victory in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Nicholls added: “I am not in a hurry to make any plans for him as he has had a busy time over the past couple of months.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

LINGFIELD: 11.40 Golden Nectar, 12.10 CERCLE D’OR (NAP), 12.45 Ettu, 1.20 Voice Control, 1.50 Yul Finegold, 2.25 Desert Strike, 3.00 Adalene, 3.30 Courtsider.

KEMPTON: 4.05 Fivetwoeight, 4.40 Desert Grey, 5.10 Daschas, 5.40 Let Rip, 6.10 Niceofyoutotellme, 6.40 Tegara, 7.10 Hackney Road, 7.40 Tarakkom.

NEWBURY: 12.20 Cosmeapolitan, 12.55 Golden Birthday, 1.30 Aurillac, 2.00 Camping Ground (next best), 2.35 Smoking Jacket, 3.10 Bags Groove, 3.40 Cap Soleil.

MUSSELBURGH: 12.00 Atomix, 12.35 So Satisfied, 1.10 Rev Up Ruby, 1.40 Bright Prospect, 2.15 Forth Bridge, 2.50 Captain Brown, 3.20 Proud Gamble.

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