Nicholls is anticipating a Kempton gold-strike

13 April 2012

The Breeders' Cup is getting all the attention but racing is still alive and well at home with the Racing Post trophy, the glittering Flat highlight at Doncaster on Saturday, and the Charisma Gold Cup at Kempton getting the jumping season into gear on London's doorstep.

In fact, the Charisma can live up to its name with a fascinating clash of two of the country's top stables, one of which has taken over a star from the other during the summer break.

Dorans Gold, a leading hope for the race, was formerly trained by Henrietta Knight and is now with Paul Nicholls, while "Hen" intends to take her ex-inmate on with Blowing Rock.

Kempton, sometimes unlovingly referred to as "The Gravel Pits", because of the excavations at its centre, should ensure that the first really decent steeple chase of the term is run on fair ground while Flat tracks have been calling off meetings this week.

Nicholls is one of those who definitely does not class the circuit as the pits, because it is its well draining characteristics that should give Dorans Gold the big test he has been planning.

"They say it is good to firm in places down the back straight at the moment" said Nicholls today.

"And if it is, that would suit us fine. I only put in my other two of Montifault and Satshoon in case it rained and rained, the chance of Kempton being soft at this time of the year is fairly remote and the forecast is good for the weekend.

"Dorans Gold has had a month off and came back in very good order. The only doubt is that we are going three miles for the first time. After we bought him out of Henrietta's stable at the Doncaster May Sales, we aimed him at the Tote Scoop Summer Chase at Market Rasen, which he won nicely by staying on well.

"When the ground really gets soft he will be given a winter break and I'd love to take him to Listowel for a crack at the Kerry National. Yet, at present, Kempton is the place to run over three miles and see his possibilities."

Meanwhile, Knight is realistic about her chaser's chances in the event, which boasts a 50 per cent increase in prize money to £30,000.

"We will probably get beaten by our old favourite. Blowing Rock is fairly exposed but he likes it round Kempton and has run good races there," she said as she schooled some youngsters.

"We wouldn't want it to be too soft, as in my experience, neither would Dorans Gold, but I would say that if Dorans had a clear round he would beat Blowing Rock."

It will not be a two-horse race however. Trainer Tom George sends Tremallt up from Gloucestershire in a bid to repeat last year's victory in the event when he won a thriller by a short head from The Land Agent.

Another interesting runner is Josh Gifford's Soloman, a useful type until he suffered injury.

Nicholls is anticipating a Kempton gold-strike

Read More