You know things can’t be too bad when staring at you from the box directly ahead is Gold Cup winner Denman, to the left is runaway Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded, and to the right is treble King George winner Kauto Star.

That was the sight that confronted us early this morning when we paid a visit to the Ditcheat, base of Champion trainer Paul Nicholls to get the lowdown on Denman’s road to recovery following his treatment for an irregular heartbeat.

The big horse looked in great nick, cantering up the famous Manor Farm gallop ears-pricked looking every inch the star he is. Tune in to tomorrow’s Morning Line for some more detailed quotes from the frankly brilliant Nicholls, who couldn’t be more accomodating in keeping the public up-to-speed with one of his favourites. He’s all systems go for a tilt at Newbury’s Aon Chase on February 7th, so fingers crossed he’ll be as good as ever.

It can be little wonder so many winners are sent out week after week by Nicholls, there’s a great buzz about the place that seems to have everyone smiling, right the way up from the lads doing the mucking out to the bloke who makes the decisions. First class.�

Onto this weekend’s sport and opportunity knocks on an Ascot card jam packed full of quality action tomorrow afternoon, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing Lucy Wadham’s classy United serve it up in the Warfield Mares’ Hurdle at 2.50pm.

Off the track for 20 months after a fine third in the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2007 Punchestown Festival, she bounced back with a lively performance to see off Chief Yeoman at Haydock on the Saturday before Christmas, and said to have thrived since then, she’s going to take all the beating under the in-form Dominic Elsworth.

Her obvious long term target is the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and she should take this en-route.

On the same card I really fancy Free World to advertise his Arkle claims in the Montpelier Group Lighting Novices’ Chase (1.40pm). I’m still not quite sure how he managed to get chinned in the dying strides by the gutsy Araldur at Sandown last time out (Choc Thornton’s ride like a man possessed might have something to do with it!), but I fancy him to get back on the winning trail tomorrow afternoon at the expense of the highly touted Calgary Bay.

Free World’s November defeat of the Philip Hobbs trained Planet Of Sound now reads especially well after he came out and won a hot contest at Newbury earlier this week.

It’s a thriller in prospect, with the second and fourth in the Arkle betting going toe to toe, and it could be worth dipping back into the Arkle market to take a bit of 14/1 each way about Free World for the long term target. (This column already advised fellow Nicholls’ inmate Tatenen at 16/1 for the Arkle back in October).�

I also like the look of Karabak in the National Hunt Novices’ Hurlde at 3.55pm. Alan King’s six-year-old caused a bit of an upset when he beat Nicholl’s Mahonia on Ruby Walsh’s comeback ride at Cheltenham in December, and he can go in again on his third try over hurdles.

He wants a fast pace and will definitely benefit from the step up in trip. Don’t forget only Mad Max has beaten him over timber so far, and he came out and won again this week too.

Lastly if you’re looking for one for the yankee at Ascot don’t miss Zaynar in the Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at 12.30pm. He’ll be no price, but the 7/2 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle ought to enhance his already lofty reputation earnt in fine style with an emphatic win on his Newbury debut a few weeks back.�

PS, It appears the representatives of Manchester City Football Club weren’t having a laugh when they travelled to Milan to table a quite ridiculous €120m bid for Brazilian maestro Kaka. Beam me up! Unless Kaka’s on drugs or forced to sign at knife point there surely can’t be a prayer of him electing to exchange the San Siro for Stockport, Il Duomo for Dukinfield, Malpensa for Moston and pasta and olive oil for a nourishing dogfood pastie.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Skybet are still offering 10/3 about Kaka pulling on a Milan shirt in the first game after the absurd transfer window slams shut. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea,but I can’t resist a quid on him staying put.

Good luck!
Tom

Saturday 17th January Racing Tips
All at Ascot
Zaynar (12:30)
Free World (1:40)
United (2:50)
Karabak (2:55)