Nicholls considers Cleeve Hurdle switch for Ptit Zig

THREE-TIME Grade 2 winning chaser Ptit Zig is likely to be switched to hurdles for his next start after failing to complete on his last two outings over fences.

An unseat at the second-last in Saturday’s Listed chase at Kempton followed a similar jumping error when falling at the final fence in last month’s Peterborough Chase.

In both contests Ptit Zig looked booked for second place but Paul Nicholls is set to press the pause button on the seven-year-old’s chase career, with the Cleeve Hurdle on January 30 under consideration.

“It was disappointing to see Ptit Zig depart at the second last fence at Kempton and I'm afraid he has never been the most natural over fences,” the trainer said on his website.

“He got away with it in small fields last season but despite loads of schooling at home he tends to get into the bottom of his fences when he doesn’t meet them spot on. It’s so frustrating as he has loads of talent.

“While I will still give him an entry in the Ryanair Chase I plan to switch him back to hurdles next with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham an obvious option.”

Nicholls knows what it takes to win the Cleeve Hurdle as he has claimed three of the last seven runnings of the Grade 2.

Several firms reacted to the news by adding Ptit Zig to their World Hurdle betting, with William Hill and Betway offering a standout 25-1.

“If Ptit Zig won the Cleeve Hurdle, the World Hurdle would surely be the number one target for him at the Cheltenham Festival,” said William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke.

Gearing up for festival

The trainer said Le Prezien, winner of the 2m½f novice hurdle at Doncaster on Friday, will receive an entry for next month’s Betfair Hurdle and he also gave an update on some of his more established stars.

He said: “I’m pleased to say that Aux Ptits Soins and Saphir Du Rheu are both back cantering in the early stages of their preparation for the World Hurdle in March.

“In addition Dodging Bullets has been in full work for a while after his problems with a splint. He’s on course to return in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury before defending his crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.”