Horse racing: Paul Nicholls looks for Gold Cup repeat (From Gazette Series)

Focus on Cheltenham Festival: Interview with Olveston-born trainer Paul Nicholls

8:30am Thursday 12th March 2009 in Sport Exclusive By Rob Iles

PAUL Nicholls is hoping to repeat the highlight of his career in the Gold Cup tomorrow.

The Olveston-born trainer oversaw an unprecedented one-two-three with Denman, Kauto Star, and Neptune Collonges in the showpiece event at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and has a chance of doing the same this year with those three horses considered to be the frontrunners for the coveted prize again.

They face strong competition from the likes of Madison Du Berlais and Exotic Dancer and Nicholls acknowledges it’s going to be tough to repeat what he called the greatest day of his career.

He said: “To finish one-two-three last year was without a shadow of a doubt the greatest moment - it’s going to be hard to surpass that.”

“That will probably never happen again but we’ll do our best - the horses are in good form.”

The horse who will be watched with most interest is last year’s champion Denman, ridden by Sam Thomas.

After winning the Gold Cup in style it was found he had an irregular heartbeat and he spent 11 months off the track.

His comeback race did not go well as he was beaten at Kempton by 23 lengths by Madison Du Berlais from the David Pipe stable. Though Nicholls feels Denman is now in good shape, he indicates that Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, and Christian Williams on Neptune Collonges represents his best chance of glory.

“He’s had a few problems but he’s beginning to blossom but not in the form of last year,” said Nicholls of Denman.

“Kauto Star is the favourite so he’s the most fancied horse. Neptune Collonges is in the form of his life so it’s nice to have these horses.”

Nicholls could be described as the Sir Alex Ferguson of racing such is his success in the sport and he is looking to be the top trainer for the fourth year in a row at the Cheltenham Festival.

“It’s the Olympics of our sport, a lot of us live for it,” said Nicholls.

“It’s a fantastic four days racing the best of the best. I’m in a lucky position with lovely horses to run in the race.”

The former Marlwood School pupil grew up in South Gloucestershire before moving away at 19 and is now based in Ditcheat, Somerset.

He hasn’t forgotten his roots though and holds Berkeley-based point to point trainer, Dick Baimbridge, in high esteem after working with him in his early career.

“I learned an awful lot from him, more from him than anybody,” said Nicholls.

“I base my training on what he did, he’s been a big influence on me.”

“It was a nice part of the world to grow up but it seems a long time ago.”

Nicholls’ heavily fancied Master Minded won the Queen Mother Champion Chase yesterday.