HUNKY Paul Nicholls ditched the tweed for his trunks this week when jetting out to Antigua for a luxury 10-day getaway.
The 13-time champion trainer takes a mid-season holiday in the Caribbean each January.
PANicholls has been in sensational form but is using the time before Cheltenham to enjoy a well-earned break[/caption]
And while he recharges his batteries and indulges in a pina colada or two, his rookie assistant Charlie Davies keeps the yard at Ditcheat ticking over.
But Nicholls ‘is on the phone each morning’ and will take time out from the fun in the sun to see how PIC D’ORHY (2.05 Kempton) gets on in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase.
With the gaffer on the beach, this is usually a quiet month for the yard as the horses are given their flu jabs at the turn of the year — but Davies still has 10 big Nicholls runners to oversee this afteroon.
Davies said: “It is business as usual while Paul is away. He is on the phone every morning so he may be gone but he is making sure he is not forgotten!
“The gaffer tries to make sure it is a slightly quieter couple of weeks for the yard as we give the horses their flu jabs every January.
“Mind you we still have plenty of runners this afternoon so the pressure is always on.”
Most read in Horse Racing
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Davies was promoted from pupil assistant at the start of this season after Harry Derham quit to start up his own yard.
Davies has been a part of the Nicholls team for several years and said: “It’s a massive job being the assistant here, you only need to look at the people who have gone before me.
“They have all been incredibly successful in what they’ve chosen to do afterwards.
“Whatever happens I want to be successful for Paul and just win as many big races as we can.
“We have been having a great run and have some big chances today so hopefully we can keep the momentum going while the boss is away.
“I know he will be tuning in and keeping a close eye on the runners. He never misses a thing.”
So who does Nicholls reckon his best chance is this weekend?
He told Betfair: “Pic D’Orhy in the 2.05 at Kempton. He looks better over fences with each run and has strong claims in this Grade 2 Chase.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org Read More