Nicholls so proud of Bravemansgame – and says more to come yet

April 28, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Paul Nicholls has expressed his pride in Bravemansgame, whose season ended with a gallant third in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday.

Always held in the highest regard by the Ditcheat handler, the eight-year-old started his campaign at Wetherby with a comeback win in the Charlie Hall, which was soon followed by completing Nicholls’ long-term goal and winning the King George at Christmas – a victory that put him in the picture for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Although Galopin Des Champs proved too tough a nut to crack at Prestbury park, his runner-up effort cemented his position as Britain’s number one staying chaser and provided the champion trainer with his best finish in the blue riband since Denman and Kauto Star placed behind Long Run in 2011.

👀 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰!

Who saw that one coming!? Fastorslow lowers the colours of Galopin Des Champs & Bravemansgame to win the @Ladbrokes @punchestownrace Gold Cup for JJ Slevin & Martin Brassil pic.twitter.com/H89ftPBm4E

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2023

He faced a Cheltenham rematch with Galopin Des Champs for his final assignment of the season at the Punchestown Festival – again playing a central role in another thrilling Grade One contest.

“I was mighty proud of him,” said Nicholls, speaking on a media call with Great British Racing.

“It was a fantastic race, he jumped brilliantly and everything went to plan. He quickened up to the second-last and as I was watching him head off up the straight, I couldn’t see him getting beat.

“He just lost a bit of momentum at the last and Harry (Cobden) was mortified as you probably saw from his interview – but I said to him, ‘If you fired him at it and fell you would have kicked yourself’. The stride just wasn’t there and it just cost him a chance of winning.”

Bravemansgame (left) jumps the last before finishing third in the Punchestown Gold Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)

He went on: “It was the end of a very, very hard season. I know he hadn’t run that many times, but we had obviously trained him quite hard and targeted races and got him really fit for them, so I was pleased by the way he looked on Wednesday and with how he ran.

“He’s run a mighty race and he’s run mighty all season. He’s won a Charlie Hall, a King George and then finished second in a Gold Cup – he ran very well in that race against some very good horses.”

Nicholls now has plenty to look forward to next season, where he believes Bravemansgame will be just hitting his peak and where over the next few seasons his achievements could see him join the Ditcheat immortals.

“He’s been fantastic and I’m sure there is more to come from him,” continued the champion trainer.

“He’s only an eight-year-old and if you go back to the days of Denman and Kauto I don’t think they reached their peak until they were nine and 10 so hopefully we have a bit more to come.

“It’s exciting to have a horse like that and we’re really looking forward to next season. He has come out of the race at Punchestown well. He’s going to have a holiday now and then we’ll target a race in the autumn before he goes to Kempton again.

“He’s right up there with Clan Des Obeaux and Silviniaco Conti who won King Georges and Aintree Bowls and things like that. They were good horses. I think he’s right up there with the very best, if not going to turn out to be the best, but the next two years will determine that. He’s done very well and is going the right way.

“For any of those horses to achieve what Kauto achieved is near impossible because he was such a high-class horse and a once-in-a-lifetime horse. But Bravemansgame is carrying the flag for us and we’re very proud of him.”

Bravemansgame with trainer Paul Nicholls during a visit to Manor Farm Stables (Adam Davy/PA)

While winning the King George is almost par for the course for any Nicholls-trained staying chaser, Bravemansgame’s second in the Gold Cup has given the champion trainer optimism he could now have the horse to provide him with a fifth victory in the Cheltenham Festival feature.

He said: “Clan and Conti couldn’t got at all at Cheltenham and a lot of horses can’t perform at Cheltenham and I think next year if we ran in the Gold Cup we would probably ride Bravemansgame with a bit more restraint.

“We were right on the front end and there to get shot at and he probably just ran out of petrol a little bit.

“He jumps well and it might be we just need to take our time a little more with him and see if he can improve a few lengths – that’s all we need to do.”

For now though, Bravemansgame will spend his summer being carefully watched over by his master trainer in the paddock once used by some of the best champions in National Hunt history.

“I’ve got a paddock ready for him and Pic D’orhy in front of my house and they will go there together,” added Nicholls.

“At one time I would have Big Bucks, Master Minded, Kauto and Denman in that field – that was an amazing foursome to look at every day. It’s now probably half the size but those two will go out there and I will enjoy looking at them every day.”

Fastorslow shocks Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame

April 26, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow caused a huge shock in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown.

Beaten by subsequent Grand National winner Corach Rambler in a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, he was sent off a 20-1 chance against Gold Cup one-two Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame.

It was Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame who attempted to make all and after seeing off first Envoi Allen and then Galopin Des Champs, Harry Cobden’s mount appeared to hold all the aces.

However, it was the JJ Slevin-rdden Fastorslow – who at one point who seemed outpaced – that came with a storming late run to take top honours, with the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs rallying to claim second from Bravemansgame right on the line.

👀 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰!

Who saw that one coming!? Fastorslow lowers the colours of Galopin Des Champs & Bravemansgame to win the @Ladbrokes @punchestownrace Gold Cup for JJ Slevin & Martin Brassil pic.twitter.com/H89ftPBm4E

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2023

Galopin Des Champs was the first of the big two to look beaten on the run to the final fence, and when Bravemansgame got in tight it allowed Fastorslow to close up.

Before Cheltenham connections had expressed doubts about Fastorslow’s ability to see out an extended three miles, but he stayed on stoutly to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Brassil said: “He was going to be carrying top weight in a lot of those handicaps so we just felt we might as well dip our toe in the water and see how much we find.

“There were only five runners and the first two in the betting had hard races in the Gold Cup. If there was a bit of a chink in the armour I thought we could hopefully exploit that. I didn’t think we’d win, but I thought we wouldn’t be far away.

J J Slevin celebrates with the Punchestown Gold Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)

“JJ is a cool customer, he took the shortest way around and the horse jumped well, everything fell into place.

“We were hoping the step up in trip would bring improvement, his pedigree suggests that he stays well. The first time trying it was in Cheltenham and I’d say that race might have brought him on.

“We were delving into new company, top-notch company, but you have to try these things – there is no point dreaming about them.

“There’ll be no point entering him in a handicap again now. He ran his heart out and just got chinned a couple of times so to come here at a local track and win a Grade One is great.

“We won’t have to do much planning now as we’ll be running in the good races.”

Bravemansgame (left) landed steep at the last and lost momentum (Brian Lawless/PA)

Slevin said: “It was a great performance from Martin and everyone getting him here in this shape. It was a bold call to run him here, but it paid off.

“It shows what you need to win a Cheltenham handicap, time and time again that proves to be the case. Corach Rambler is a hardy horse.

“We were riding him to run well, Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs were always going to sneak away.

“Martin always had a lot of faith in the horse, he’s some trainer isn’t he?”

Of Bravemansgame, Cobden said: “I had the most fantastic ride and he jumped great but I’m fuming I didn’t wing the last fence, I got in very deep and lost two lengths as well as momentum. After that the best horse has won, but if I’d have winged that fence it would have been a different story, I’m sure of it.

“It’s not the ground you lose jumping, it’s the momentum on landing as he pecked and the other horse came by me.

“I might have a different thought on watching back, but my initial thought is if I’d met it better I would have been a lot closer.”

Of the beaten favourite Mullins, speaking after landing a second-day treble when Junta Marvel won the closing bumper, said: “He’s grand, he was tired when he came in but he’s back to himself there now.

“It was a good race and you have to run your horses, that’s what they are there for. It’s good prize money and good racing.”

Bravemansgame given go-ahead for Punchestown on Wednesday

April 24, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Bravemansgame has been given clearance to run in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday with Bryan Drew confirmed as the sole owner.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding, most recently seen finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup to Galopin Des Champs, who he is due to meet again, was previously under the joint-ownership of Drew and John Dance.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm is one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was ordered to cease trading by the Financial Conduct Authority due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

As a result Bravemansgame was prevented via a court order from running at Aintree, but Dance’s share has now been sold to Drew and he is able to run again.

Bravemansgame and @CobdenHarry having a jump in readiness for @punchestownrace on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/SwTrBZ0qmy

— Paul Nicholls OBE (@PFNicholls) April 24, 2023

A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: “The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today informed the British Horseracing Authority that it has agreed to the sale, following an independent valuation, of Mr Dance’s 50 per cent share of Bravemansgame. The gelding was previously owned in partnership by John Dance and Bryan Drew, and has now been sold into the sole ownership of Bryan Drew.

“As a result Bravemansgame is now able to be declared for races, including the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestown on Wednesday.

“The BHA remains in dialogue with the FCA and Mr Dance regarding the status of Mr Dance’s other horses.”

Nicholls can now look forward to getting Bravemansgame back in action, with the extra time from Cheltenham seen as a positive.

“We schooled Bravemansgame this morning and he was good. He’s fresh and well and we’re looking forward to travelling,” said the champion trainer.

Harry Cobden celebrates with Bravemansgame (John Walton/PA)

“He appeared to recover quickly from Cheltenham, but I think the extra 12 days will have done him good from when we had planned to run at Aintree. A lot of our horses are in really good form at the moment so it will have done him good.

“As long as you have the right horses, Punchestown is worth going to and it’s been good for us since Sporazene and Le Roi Miguel.

“Bravemansgame has never been away overnight before. It’s his first time travelling to run so hopefully he takes to that OK. Shantou Flyer is travelling to keep him company. They will stay at Punchestown and hopefully they settle down well. We’re really looking forward to it.”

Galopin Des Champs, meanwhile, is reported in top shape by Willie Mullins – who remains full of praise for Paul Townend’s ride at Cheltenham.

“Over the third-last, Paul had him back, collected and balanced in about three strides and I said ‘wow, he’s confident’.

Galopin Des Champs (left) and Bravemansgame clash again (Steve Paston/PA)

“He just pulled him together, you see him waiting to get around the bend and find a clear path. I hoped we had enough in the tank and the way it worked, he was very cool when he needed to be.

“He’s come out of Cheltenham well, we’re very happy with him.

Ryanair Chase hero Envoi Allen takes his chance for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, with Shark Hanlon’s Gold Cup faller Hewick also in the mix after side-stepping the Grand National.

Gordon Elliott’s Fury Road parted ways with rider Jonjo O’Neill jr at the second in the Grand National and has been rerouted to Punchestown as a result, with Martin Brassil’s Ultima runner-up Fastorslow completing the field of six.

In the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle there are a host of horses who finished the runner-up last time out, with Noel Meade’s Albert Bartlett second Affordale Fury and Mullins’ Ballymore second Gaelic Warrior both entered.

Donald McCain’s Maximilian brings Aintree form to the table as he was most recently seen coming home second to Apple Away in the Sefton at the Grand National meeting.

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero is back in action in A Dream To Share, for John Kiely in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.

It’s For Me, fifth in the Cheltenham race, is down to run for Mullins, as are unbeaten prospects Ballyburn and Tullyhill – with each horse having won a bumper and a point-to-point to date.

Nicholls still hoping Bravemansgame can get to Punchestown

April 19, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Paul Nicholls is still holding out hope he might be able to run Bravemansgame at the Punchestown Festival.

The King George VI Chase winner was prevented from running at Aintree last week as part-owner John Dance saw his company WealthTek LLP placed into special administration by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Dance’s name was removed from the racecard and the Gold Cup runner-up was due to run in the sole ownership of Bryan Drew. However, the evening before the race the British Horseracing Authority announced it had received further information from the FCA which meant the horse would not be allowed to run.

Nicholls said: “I want Bravemansgame to go to Punchestown. I don’t know whether there is a chance.

“Something might get sorted on Thursday, but I’m not sure. That’s for them to sort out. If we can go, then we’ll go, but if we can’t he’ll be out, unfortunately.”

Nicholls ‘disappointed’ as Bravemansgame misses out at Aintree

April 13, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Paul Nicholls described himself as “disappointed” after an ownership issue led to him being unable to run his star chaser Bravemansgame in Thursday’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl.

Having finished best of the rest behind Galopin Des Champs in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, the King George hero was due to line up as a major contender on day one of the Grand National meeting.

The British Horseracing Authority initially cleared Bravemansgame to contest the Grade One heat after the eight-year-old switched into the sole ownership of Bryan Drew on Tuesday, having previously been owned in partnership with John Dance, but then withdrew the horse on Wednesday evening after an intervention from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm is one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was last week ordered to cease all regulated activities by the FCA due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

Bravemansgame winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

Speaking to Betfair on ‘Ditcheat Decs’ on Thursday morning, Nicholls was understandably deflated.

“I’m obviously disappointed by the course of events that led up to us not being able to run him, but that’s out of my hands and I can’t really say any more than that,” said the champion trainer.

“It’s just bitterly disappointing.”

A statement issued by the BHA on Wednesday evening said: “In light of new information, including a court order, provided to the BHA on Wednesday 12 April by the Financial Conduct Authority Bravemansgame is no longer able to take part in the race and has been withdrawn.

“The BHA will continue to liaise with the FCA and other affected parties.”

Bravemansgame ruled out of Aintree Bowl

April 12, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Bravemansgame will not be permitted to run in Thursday’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up had been cleared by the British Horseracing Authority to contest the Grade One heat, with the eight-year-old switched into the sole ownership of Bryan Drew on Tuesday, having previously been owned in partnership with John Dance.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm is one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was last week ordered to cease trading by the Financial Conduct Authority due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

Bravemansgame won the King George at Christmas (John Walton/PA)

However, the BHA has announced the Paul Nicholls-trained King George winner will no longer be able to run after an intervention from the FCA.

A statement read: “In light of new information, including a court order, provided to the BHA on Wednesday 12 April by the Financial Conduct Authority Bravemansgame is no longer able to take part in the race and has been withdrawn.

“The BHA will continue to liaise with the FCA and other affected parties.”

Aintree redemption in A Plus Tard’s sights

April 12, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson is cautiously optimistic A Plus Tard will show his true colours in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl on Thursday.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge looked set to become the dominant force in the division following an imperious 15-length victory in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, but little has gone right since.

The nine-year-old returned unsatisfactory blood test results following a disappointing defence of the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, while a late setback denied him the opportunity to bounce back in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Connections ultimately decided to head straight back to Cheltenham, where after travelling well for a long way, he was badly hampered by the fall of Ahoy Senor and the brought-down Sounds Russian, which ultimately led to him being pulled up by Rachael Blackmore.

Having failed to complete a race since his Gold Cup romp 13 months ago, A Plus Tard clearly has questions to answer ahead of his first appearance at Aintree, but hopes are high in the Cheveley Park camp that he can get his career back on track.

A Plus Tard winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

Thompson said: “It’s been a difficult season for him, as we all know.

“He was travelling well in the Gold Cup until he got hampered. Would he have troubled the first two, who knows, but he was travelling well.

“I think we’re just hoping that he can travel like that again and show the class that he’s got. We want to see a good, positive showing and signs that he is back to himself.

“I’m not going to say he’s going to win it because it’s a very a hot race, but it’s great to be involved and we look forward to taking our chance.

“He’s won four Grade Ones for us and is a double winner at Cheltenham. He’s won a Gold Cup and a Betfair Chase in imperious fashion – he’s been a great horse for us whatever happens.”

A Plus Tard over the last at Cheltenham last season (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Lucinda Russell-trained Ahoy Senor won the Cotswold Chase over course and distance before his Gold Cup fall and he returns to a track he knows well.

Winner of the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at massive odds of 66-1 in 2021 before landing the Mildmay Novices’ Chase by five lengths last term, Russell believes Ahoy Senor is primed for another bold showing.

“He’s in great form, I’m looking forward to the good ground with him,” Russell said.

Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“This looks a tough race, tougher even than the Gold Cup I think, but he’s in good form and we travel with hope.

“It’s been quite handy to have that extra time between the two meetings, he’s been thriving.

“He always seems to go well at this time of year, he’s quite a spring-time horse.”

Nico de Boinville will reunite with Shishkin after the duo finished second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

Nicky Henderson’s charge was the evens favourite for the event and eventually came home two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

“I think we were a bit deflated after Cheltenham, although he did stay on really well up the hill,” de Boinville told Sky Sports Racing.

“We’ve tried to work a few things out and he seems to be in really good order at home – he’s been working well and schooling well.

“He was just never happy from the word go (at Cheltenham). He was never really happy and never really jumping and made hard work of it.

“I don’t think you can really question his temperament given the way he seemed to battle on up the hill and everything has been right since then.

Shishkin and Henderson (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m staying nice and positive and when he’s on-song, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“All the ability is there, it’s just a case of bringing it all together.”

Gordon Elliott’s Gold cup third Conflated takes his chance while Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law, who did not meet the criteria for a planned Grand National bid, completes a field of five after Bravemansgame was withdrawn from the race by the British Horseracing Authority.

Senor ‘thriving’ ahead of Aintree Bowl task

April 12, 2023/in Horseracing News/by DaveM

Lucinda Russell may have the Randox Grand National favourite but there could be earlier celebrations if Ahoy Senor shines in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase.

The eight-year-old fell at the 17th fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but prior to that won the Cotswold Chase over course and distance in January.

He has shone at Aintree before, winning the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at massive odds of 66-1 in 2021 and taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase by five lengths at the meeting the following season.

Though the Festival did not go to plan, the racing calendar has fallen in such a way this term that there is an extra week between two big spring meetings – a boon for horses running in both.

“He’s in great form, I’m looking forward to the good ground with him,” Russell said.

“This looks a tough race, tougher even than the Gold Cup I think, but he’s in good form and we travel with hope.

“It’s been quite handy to have that extra time between the two meetings, he’s been thriving.

“He always seems to go well at this time of year, he’s quite a spring-time horse.”

Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame was the runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when last seen, finishing seven lengths behind Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs.

The third-placed horse was a further six and a half lengths behind him and Nicholls was delighted with his performance under Harry Cobden.

Bravemansgame (right) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Tim Goode/PA)

“Bravemansgame ran the race of his life in finishing second in the Gold Cup. It was a hell of a race, as good a Gold Cup as you will see with an end-to-end gallop,” Nicholls told his Betfair blog.

“He was pinpoint accurate at his fences and was the only one to make a race of it with the winner Galopin Des Champs.

“Bravemansgame looks tremendous, has been working really well and there is no sign of his having a hard race at the Festival.

“I’m expecting another big run from him and would argue that if he is not at his best now, I doubt he will be if we wait for Punchestown in two weeks’ time.”