Big day for grey
The grey bounced back from defeat at Haydock with an impressive win at Ascot on his last start and is held in high regard by connections
TRAINER Paul Nicholls is hoping to avoid any mis-Caps in this weekend's Tolworth Hurdle.
The Ditcheat maestro admits he messed up the tactics when Capitaine suffered his only defeat over hurdles at Haydock in November.
And sure enough the dashing grey proved his true ability when an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Supreme Novices' trial at Ascot last month.
Nicholls said: "We always thought a lot of the horse but we got the tactics completely wrong at Haydock and the ground was heavy.
"The last day at Ascot, Sam Twiston-Davies said there didn't look like there was any pace so I said to let him bowl along in front as he gallops and jumps well.
"He was impressive and we got the best out of him. He wasn't stopping.
"He'll have a big chance on Saturday as long as the ground's not too soft, he wouldn't want much more rain as he's a good moving horse.
"He's such an exciting prospect and we're very happy to have him in the yard."
Champion trainer Nicholls reckons Capitaine could be a serious contender for Cheltenham Festival honours.
He added: "I'd definitely like to think this time next year we'll be in the Arkle with Capitaine, I see him as a future chaser.
"Whether he can win a Supreme I don't know he's not unlike Noland and Al Ferof who we won it with."
