PAUL NICHOLLS has named a full brother to multiple Grade 1-winning monster Envoi Allen as one of his top ten to follow this season, declaring: “I’m sure he’ll win.”
And he has set out a likely early season target for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Cheltenham Festival winner Caldwell Potter.
The Ditcheat boss has his squad ready and raring to go ahead of the new campaign that officially kicks off at Chepstow on Friday.
And one horse above all others in his yard has emerged as a dark horse who could reach the very top.
A brother to Henry de Bromhead’s Champion Bumper, Ballymore and Ryanair winner Envoi Allen, Nicholls sees big things ahead for Joyau Allen.
Owned by Johnny de la Hey, the six-year-old won his debut bumper in January 2024 and finished second when last seen a month later.
He has been off the track since, but Nicholls told Betfair he’s got him where he wants him for this term.
The 14-time champion trainer told Betfair: “Joyau Allen is a big, strong, chasing type of horse, he is definitely one that whatever he achieves over hurdles will be a bonus but he’s a full brother to Envoi Allen, so he’s well related.
“He won his bumper for us at Exeter and ran some nice races.
“He’s a horse that I’ve always liked. The year off was due to a minor injury but we decided to give him the year off and it won’t be lost on him.
“He’s a huge horse – he’s 17 hands plus.
“He goes very nice but he’s a dark horse really. He’s got ability. We really like him and I’m sure he’ll win some nice novice hurdles. He’s one I really like.”
Sir Alex’s Caldwell Potter ended last season with back-to-back wins at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Nicholls said he is keen on running him in the Betfair Chase in late November, where he is 9-2 second-fav behind 6-4 fav Grey Dawning for Dan Skelton.
Paul Nicholls’ ten to follow this season
The Ditcheat boss picks out his top ten stars ahead of the new season…
Caldwell Potter
Kalif Du Berlais
Jubilee Alpha
Joyau Allen
Regent’s Stroll
No Drama This End
Quebecois
Blueking d’Oroux
Pourquoi Pas Papa
Babyken
The trainer is also ‘dreaming of Cheltenham’ with Jubilee Alpha.
She’s three from five over hurdles and will stick to that discipline this season.
Nicholls said: “There’s lots of options you can go with her, you can take a 7lb fillies’ allowance and something like the Ascot Hurdle over two and a half miles against the geldings, but that’s a bit of a step up in class so I’d like to get one step in before that.
“She could go to Wetherby for the mares’ hurdle on Charlie Hall day.
“That’s over two miles though and I think her best form was over two and a half at the end of the season.
“Or the weekend after, the Richard Barber Memorial Handicap, that’s two miles five, that would be a good starting point for her.
“I’m sure during the season we will place her right, there’s some nice mares’ races, she’ll do very well again.
“I think two and a half miles is her trip, but we’ll see (about the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival), it’s early days, we’re dreaming about Cheltenham again and we’ll see what’s what.”
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