Paul Nicholls is in form with his summer jumpers. No surprise there. But even by his own standards it is amazing that the champion trainer has now won with his last seven runners. Barring accidents, the long odds-on Woolcombe Folly will extend the sequence in the third race at Newton Abbot today. For betting purposes, Foolish Myth (4.00) is the interesting one. Based on his hunter-chase form, this six-year-old does not look harshly treated off a mark of 94. He hasn't been in the Nicholls yard for long, but it should be long enough to have made a difference.
A change of stables may have done the trick for Colwyn Bay (7.20), who was not doing much over hurdles for David Bridgwater but ran a lot better at Fontwell on his first start since switched to Robert Stronge. Back on the Flat at Pontefract tonight, and with Paul Hanagan booked, Colwyn Bay looks handicapped to go close.
Treat (8.20) looks the main reason for Ryan Moore's presence at Ponty. This will be the filly's first start since joining the Ed Dunlop yard from Mick Channon, and she has been noted moving well on the Newmarket gallops. Treat never managed to build on last season's excellent first run, when fourth in the 1,000 Guineas, but this could be the time to catch her.
