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Francois Nicolle – A Trainer with a 60% Top 3 Strike Rate at Compiegne.
Currently the leading jump trainer in France, François Nicolle will have thirteen starters at the 2021 Grand Steeple Chase de Compiègne meeting, including three in the premier event. He attributes his success to a training strategy: having professional jockeys in the morning to train his champions.
François Nicolle has had 139 runners at Compiegne during the last 365 days with 29 wins and 55 placings. That is a 60% strike rate for the first three home. No one can do better with a similar amount of runners and it is five percent above his national strike rate!
Many professional jockeys work for you. What advantages do you think it gives?
I have 7 to 8 different jockeys at home every morning: brothers Angelo and Luka Zuliani, Théo Chevillard, Geoffrey Vibert, Gaëtan Masure, Bertrand Lestrade, Baptiste Dubourg and Maxence Brochard. Jockeys have their own horses. I do not consider that there is a 'first' jockey at my yard. It is not easy for them either because there is a certain ego battle, but it also generates motivation. I try to give everyone a chance, everyone has good horses to ride. Owners also have preferences. Each of these jockeys has qualities and faults. Currently, Théo Chevillard is in great demand from other trainers, and I am very happy for him and proud of him. He has two very good three year old horses he rides everyday – La Chenevière and La Manigance.
In jumps racing in France, this Saturday is the big meeting of the season at Compiègne. What do you think of the racecourse?
I really liked Enghien, even though I have won twice as many races at Compiègne. Enghien is simpler, yet harder, and more selective. At Compiegne, there are ups and downs and you have to jump right and well. Enghien is more based on speed and agility where good horses are difficult to beat. At least at Compiègne, we know that any winner here can also win at Auteuil.
You have three horses in the Grand Steeplechase de Compiegne: what are your hopes?
Edgeoy (501) is very good: it's a very good field in this race. At this shorter distance, he meets horses that he would not usually race against. He's perfectly well. He jumps well, he is tough and has a very large stride.
Garasil (502) is a high-class horse. Last time, he placed second to the Lageneste & Macaire's mare Want of a Nail who he was giving 6kg to. With the absence of this mare, he is an obvious challenger since he has achieved three podium finishes in three races in the Steeplechase de Compiègne.
Flyingstartandco (507) will make his comeback here for lack of an alternative entry. He can take a fourth or fifth place. He is maybe below the standard of the others but has already placed third in the Prix Romati (G3) at Compiègne. He has never won in a steeplechase but has never finished worse than 5th either.
A quick note about your other runners.
204 Kolina Has - "She's very good, she's a mare with great potential." 205 Illicite - "She is making a comeback after a serious racing incident in Bordeaux. She had cut herself in the kneecap. She has a small unsightly scar which does not bother her at all, the vets have given the green light. She is not easy to ride because she has a lot of energy, but she has enough work to make a good comeback. " 207 Huerta - "She has quality and Compiègne shouldn't be a problem." 302 Gardez La Monnaie - "She comes here after the first fall of her career at Auteuil. She was unlucky. She's fine but she has a big weight, and it is a lot to expect a win". 304 Ferblue - "He was disappointing last time. I'm waiting to see him again because he's a bit complicated. " 307 Gaboriot - "He's at the top". 411 Diamond Carl - "I think it's a very good entry. Like all my newbie horses, he's not 200% but I like him a lot ". 702 Becquarainbow: "I didn't have a choice of entries with him and I didn't have any in a steeplechase!" 703 Porto Pollo - "He is making a comeback: he was a little behind in training due to a small health problem. With him, it's as he pleases ". 710 Raffles Sainte - "She is very good. She has everything going for her in this race: going, distance and course ".
What are your favorites among all your horses?
Edgeoy, Raffles Sainte, Kolina Has, Gaboriot and Diamond Carl seem to be my best chances.
