Fourteen times champion trainer Paul Nicholls seems to be making a habit of winning Chepstow bumpers with potential stars and the trainer was on the mark again at the track last week.
Nicholls, a 14-time champion trainer, struck recently with Stick To The Board, a big-money buy who looks a gorgeous prospect. Not to rest on his laurels, he ran Order On Time (photographed) in the corresponding race at the course last Thursday and the five-year-old did not disappoint.
Owned by Andy Bell and Fergus Lyons, Order On Time was second in a point-to-point in November before Nicholls shelled out £200,000 for him at a sale at Cheltenham a month later. The son of Order Of St George is held in high regard by the Somerset handler, who spoke favourably of him beforehand.
That faith was well rewarded when Order On Time cruised home in the hands of stable jockey Harry Cobden. He was handy throughout and did hang, but was able to bolt up ten lengths clear for a convincing victory, which left Nicholls purring.
The trainer was not, however, the main operation on the day as Gary Moore and his son Josh were responsible for a treble.
First up for the duo was Hurricane Pat, a promising youngster tried at the highest level and dropping in grade. That is perhaps why he was a 2-9 chance for the novice hurdle, which he dominated, winning by seven lengths.
A Listed winner at Sandown this term, he was entitled to take all the beating and did not run badly at the Cheltenham Festival last month when he was sixth in a Grade 1 novice hurdle.
He was ridden by Freddie Mitchell, who did the steering on the Moore family’s next winner, Blow Your Wad.
Like Hurricane Pat, he had shaped with plenty of encouragement at Cheltenham and lined up a leading contender for Chepstow’s feature. Despite a slow start, he was able to creep into contention and kept on well to seal his first success since February 2024.
If the stable’s first two winners were expected, the last might not have been as Authentic Legacy was allowed to go off an 11-1 chance for the 2m3½f handicap hurdle. The gelding won that under Caoilin Quinn, who had his mount handy early on and conjured a fine effort from him, coasting home by an easy eight lengths.
Another one to follow from the card could be Tobyshill, who was comfortably on top in the maiden hurdle. He hails from the impressive Lambourn yard of Nick Scholfield and was way too good for his rivals.
Our next meeting at Chepstow is this Saturday 11th April, the same day as the Grand National at Aintree. The first race is due off at 12.35pm and gates open at 11.05pm. All the action from Aintree will be screened with live music after racing.
