Nicholls set to bounce back at start of month.

The month of January was one to forget for the yard, who struggled for form and suffered due to the poor weather.

However, at Wincanton on Thursday he gave an upbeat report on the condition of his horses following work on his gallops that had been damaged by heavy rain.

He has two horses running on Saturday that i just cant ignore. However, I will cut back the stakes – both would have been 2pt win plus a 1pt Double. I am going to cut that back to 1pt win on each and 0.5pt ew double.

2.17 Musselburgh Afadil 4/1

Nicholls record at Musselburgh is excellent and i have no doubt this has been Afadil’s target for the season. Quite simply everything is in the horses favour and as a bonus Freddie Gingell takes off 3lb.

At the time of writing his best priced 4/1 with Bet 365 who offer a boost to 9/2 and generally 10/3 with other firms.

Bet 365 are similarly generous with 4/1 boosted to 9/2 about Henri the Second in the 3.07 at Sandown most other firms offering around 3/1.

The 8yo got let off lightly only getting an 8Lb rise for a course success last time out on heavy ground and a follow up win looks more than likely with Harry Cobden jocked up.

Bet 365 are clearly taking a view that the Nicholls yard will be out of sorts but by contrast Betfair who sponsor the yard only offer 10/3 and 7/2.

1pt win Afadil 2.17 Musselburgh 4/1 BET 365 Boosted 9/2

1pt win Henri the Second 3.07 Musselburgh 4/1 BET 365 boosted 9/2

0.5pt ew Double