Well done Henderson

[OddDog]

Not harsh Fulkes just the reality really, Across the card his 7 runners didn't beat much and like I was saying its hardly made any dent on Paul Nicholls lead at the top of the trainers table, Hes already 400k ahead of him. Like PN said in a interview just after NH's 7 from 7 '' Seven's great, But you've got to do it on Saturday when it counts '' The beauty of Paul Nicholls and his yard is the strength in depth, I wouldn't have given Brampour a hope in hell in the Greatwood and he was PN's second string with Harry Derham booked but he sauntered to a 2 and half length win and picked up 56k. He does it year in year out. As for Long Run, On all known form he should have won, Fit or not fit, Needing the run or not. Kauto Star as turned up at Haydock 3 times previous to last Saturday and won the race half tuned, Seeing off Beef or Salmon, Exotic Dancer and Imperial Commander along the way. Kauto ran more times than Long Run did last year and could have been made a case of needing the run but he cantered clear. Long Run should have won by rights but yet again Paul Nicholls showed why hes the best in the business....

I expect more of the same this weekend ...................... Big Bucks & 1833 score at Newbury and a half fit Binocular beaten at Newcastle ............. perhaps by a Nicholls horse?

[King Shergar]

As much as I'm a fan of Nicky Henderson, I have to agree with Istabraq. Paul Nicholls is a better trainer, and if Long Run was in his hands, if be far happier. I'm just not convinced that Henderson has the ability to keep a horse unbeaten all season, running consistently, winning the big races, were as in comparison PN has done it with Denman, Kauto, Master Minded and Big Bucks in recent years.

Binocular only won one race the year he won the CH, what sort of a champion is that?

[Dexter]

This debate has all the kudos of a playground "...my dad could beat your dad in a fight.."..argument.God help us.

I am,however,willing to join in!

KS argues that;

"Binocular only won one race the year he won the CH, what sort of a champion is that?"

F**k me,you couldn't make it up!!...he won the Champion Hurdle...the clue is the race name.....(he won two races in 2010 btw.)

Paul Nicholls is indeed a great trainer,that is without doubt.However he has saddled Master Minded to finish unplaced in the CC for the last two years,a race that was his pre defined seasonal target

FYI,NH kept Remittance unbeaten for a season consisting of six outings and indeed RM suffered only one defeat in total in three seasons when at his peak.

We now find out that PN isn't sure of MM optimal trip.Too slow for 2m on decent ground,as his last two CC placeless humblings have confirmed,and maybe a doubtful stayer at 3m.

IMEO NH would have realised some time ago that MM would get easily beaten in a high class fast run 2m chase on decent ground..

[FulkesFestival40]

Nicholls is obviously a brilliant trainer. I believe you can only compare trainers in the same era (therefore comparing him with Winter, Rimell, Walwyn, etc is impossible) and history may well judge him to be the best of this era.

But he does not always get it right, e.g. running Kauto Star after this year's Gold Cup. I did not hear his dismissive comment about Henderson's 7 winners but if he said that then he does not deserve to be bracketed with the greats. Can anyone really imagine Fred Winter saying that? Nicholls has no class - if he had one ounce of Martin Pipe's humility, for example, he would be far more palatable.

[Dexter]

Not harsh Fulkes just the reality really, Across the card his 7 runners didn't beat much and like I was saying its hardly made any dent on Paul Nicholls lead at the top of the trainers table, Hes already 400k ahead of him. Like PN said in a interview just after NH's 7 from 7 '' Seven's great, But you've got to do it on Saturday when it counts '' The beauty of Paul Nicholls and his yard is the strength in depth, I wouldn't have given Brampour a hope in hell in the Greatwood and he was PN's second string with Harry Derham booked but he sauntered to a 2 and half length win and picked up 56k. He does it year in year out. As for Long Run, On all known form he should have won, Fit or not fit, Needing the run or not. Kauto Star as turned up at Haydock 3 times previous to last Saturday and won the race half tuned, Seeing off Beef or Salmon, Exotic Dancer and Imperial Commander along the way. Kauto ran more times than Long Run did last year and could have been made a case of needing the run but he cantered clear. Long Run should have won by rights but yet again Paul Nicholls showed why hes the best in the business....

Master Minded was trading at odds on when last on his seasonal debut this season...any thoughts?

Also you state KS has turned up "half tuned" and won the race on three previous occasions.

When KS won the Betfair in 2007 he had the benefit of a previous run,where he was an easily beaten hot favourite at Aintree in a four runner race.He obviously needed it,just like LR on Saturday and was therefore patently not "half tuned" having had the benefit of a prior outing....as for your assertion that KS "cantered clear" on Saturday...well,I think you need to take off the old PN goggles and watch the race again.

If you are going to attack the credentials of a top class professional trainer please ensure you have your facts in order.

Your gushingly sweet love in with PN..("..the beauty with Paul Nicholls...") is very touching but is giving me a sugar rush.!!

[Istabraq]

Attack? That's a strong word for My view Dexter. I'm just more of a fan of PN I can see that touched a nerve with you trying to belittle My last post. Not everyone is a huge fan of Nicky Henderson Dexter, Get over it. I'll rehiterate my last post and leave it at that. IMO Paul Nicholl's need'nt worry about losing his Trainers championship, I wouldn't go as far as saying I was attacking NH. Just My opinion

[Istabraq]

Don't forget Dexter owners usually have the last say on where the horse runs or doesn't run. Master Minded should have stuck to the original plan and gone to Ascot instead of Aintree. With both Clive Smith's horses running on the same day last Saturday he wanted to avoid that but in the end they ran anyway. PN said he was ready for a run but he clearly needed abit more time. I've said in previous posts that Long Run if lost at Haydock he would come on from it in the King George, It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one. But I was expecting a Long Run win at Haydock even so hence the reason I used Kauto Star as an example. I wouldn't be that worried about his fitness its his jumping I don't like, I know he's a GC/KG winner but how long can he stay at the top by being just a thorough stayer? There is going to horses willing to take him on now after his thrashing at the hands of Kauto. MM and Captain Chris are just two We'll see. I look forward to seeing him return Boxing Day...

[Dexter]

OK...Istabraq.

We'll put this one to bed.