Knappers Hill spoiled the Tom O’Brien farewell as Paul Nicholls’ charge landed the bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown.
O’Brien, who had announced he was hanging up his riding boots after a stellar career with trainer Philip Hobbs, looked to have a solid chance aboard Thyme Hill, who on official ratings had 10lb in hand on his rivals as he switched disciplines following a modest run in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.
And O’Brien looked well-poised as he tracked the sedate pace set by the mare Theatre Glory in the extended two-mile-five-furlong affair.
However, there was to be no fairytale farewell for O’Brien, as the race turned into something of a sprint.
O’Brien and Thyme Hill were tight for room and tapped for toe at the second-last, where Knappers Hill and Bryony Frost picked up well, having initially sat at the back of the quintet.
Frost, replacing Harry Cobden, who stood himself down following a fall earlier in the afternoon, seized her chance, with the seven-year-old, winner of the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, picking up in great style.
Knappers Hill (11-2) stayed on well up the hill after the last and just had enough to repel the late thrust of Goshen, who had to be switched to challenge.
Gary Moore’s runner, who was a neck behind, could be considered somewhat unlucky not to record a third course success. O’Brien bowed out with a third-place finish.
Celebrating a winner on the day he was officially crowned champion for the 14th time, Nicholls said: “We were a bit worried about the ground and we were in one mind whether to run him or not, because the only time he’s been disappointing was here in the EBF Final on soft ground.
“We rode him different today and just took our time, I said to Bryony to let him creep into things and hope they don’t go too quick and see if he gets the trip and he did. He’ll go chasing next year, he’ll be a nice type for things like the Rising Stars at Wincanton so we’re looking forward to that now.”
Frost added: “We just took our time. He’s got so much ability and it was very easy. We cruised through in a little field and I enjoyed every moment of his jumping.
“Turning in the speed we hit was awesome, he’s a quality horse and he’s going to make some chaser next year. I couldn’t believe it was going our way, it’s probably the first race all day that has. It’s fantastic for the owners and this crowd is great.”
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Paul Nicholls praised stable jockey Harry Cobden for his role in a season that saw him officially crowned champion jumps trainer for the 14th time at Sandown’s bet365 Jump Finale.
The Ditcheat handler enjoyed a stellar campaign which saw him register his 13th King George thanks to Bravemansgame’s Christmas triumph and also return to the Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure following a three-year hiatus with a Prestbury Park double.
All of that leaves Nicholls just one title away from matching Martin Pipe on 15 championships – and he was keen to pay tribute to an instrumental part of team Ditcheat and a man who has partnered just shy of 100 winners for him this term.
“He’s 24 and he’s still young for a jump jockey. But he’s getting experienced now, he’s fit and strong and he thinks about a race,” Nicholls said.
“I don’t think anyone is riding better than him, in my opinion he is if not the best, one of the best jump jockeys riding at the minute.
“He’s a big team player and he comes in every day and he schools. He’s just getting better and better and has been brilliant this year.”
Although Cobden was numerically adrift of Brian Hughes in the race to be named champion jockey, he has been a standing dish in the winner’s enclosure at the end of the season’s big races with a plethora of Grade One contests secured.
“He’s one of the big players and he could be champion jockey one day, but I don’t think he measures his success on that,” added Nicholls.
“If it was done on prize-money he would be a million in front of Brian Hughes, he’s earned an amazing amount of prize-money.
“If he’s champion jockey one day, I’m sure he would love it – but I don’t think that’s his number one priority and I think he will be happy just to keep on winning big races and doing as well as he has.”
Nicholls’ thirst for success has seen him dominate the 2022-23 season with the title sewn up at the conclusion of Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
Despite the emergence of Bravemansgame as a leading figure in the staying chase division, his latest crown has been won through the sheer consistency of his whole string rather than the achievements of a select squad of superstars, and Nicholls believes it is a huge testament to his staff at his Somerset base that his string has continued to thrive throughout the campaign.
“To get to 14 championships is beyond my wildest dreams and to be a million (pounds) in front of Dan (Skelton), that’s a lot really,” continued Nicholls, speaking on a call hosted by Great British Racing. “We’ve had some fantastic horses who have been consistent all season, and I’m thrilled.
“We set the record of prize-money that we won in a season back in 2008 and, of course, we had all those superstars – Master Minded, Denman, Kauto (Star), Neptune (Collonges) and Big Buck’s. We haven’t got quite that team now, so to do that now reflects well on the team as a whole.
“What I think is fantastic is we have had a 28 per cent strike-rate throughout the season. I think that reflects well on everybody – the team, the jockeys, the owners. Twenty-eight per cent strike-rate for the season is the best we’ve ever achieved, so that has been good.”
With 14 titles safely locked away in the Manor Farm trophy cabinet, Nicholls’ attention switches to next season where his immediate focus will be holding off the challenge of protegee Skelton and Nicky Henderson, while he also has the mammoth feat of 4,000 winners in his sights.
He said: “We’ll have to keep Dan at bay and Nicky has a lovely team of horses as well – he hasn’t quite had the winners this year, but he’s just as likely to bounce back.
“It’s always competitive, but those two seem to be the main threats in terms of the championship, and Fergal O’Brien is on the fringe of that. He’s done very well and probably just needs one or two better horses.
“The championship is all about prize-money and luckily we’ve trained both the most winners and earned the most money (this season) which is very satisfying.”
He went on: “I would love to train 4,000 jumps winners – no one has done that before – and I would love to be the first one to do it. Martin’s total was 3,900 and something, and we’re closing that down. And the championship – I would love to win that 16 times, of course I would.
“Martin was a brilliant trainer and there was not quite as much racing then, so to train the winners he did was incredible. It would be nice to either equal or beat that.”
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Rachael Blackmore partners Hewick when he attempts to strike at Sandown’s jumps finale meeting for the second year in a row, lining up in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.
Whereas last year John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s versatile performer was scoring in the handicap feature over three and three-quarter miles, his performances since have earnt him a crack at the Grade Two on the card over a mile less.
The eight-year-old – who famously cost only €850 euros – has gone from strength to strength since his victory in Esher 12 months ago, winning the Galway Plate and American Grand National before running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he was well in it before suffering a fall two out.
Having missed out on a tilt at the Grand National while recovering from his Prestbury Park exertions, Hewick was set to line up in the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this week before conditions turned against him.
Instead he returns to Sandown for a race where he is 10lb clear of his nearest rival on ratings.
“The race is very suitable for him,” said Hanlon.
“I would have loved to have run him at Punchestown but the ground there is very tacky. I know they’re set to get a drop of rain at Sandown but I was talking to the clerk of the course and he said the ground would be like last year. So if it is on the soft side of good that will do perfectly.
“He was running a cracker in Cheltenham when he fell and I’ve tried to go down the option here of the easier route. I could have gone for the bet365 Gold Cup again, but I would be giving away two stone to everything.
“In this race it is the other way round and the opposition is giving me weight. They have to beat me this time whereas usually it’s the other way round. Take the top horse (Eldorado Allen), he is rated 12lb lower than Hewick, yet has to give him 2lb. I think the race is very suitable for the horse and he is in great form.”
Hewick has been ridden by Jordan Gainford in his six of his last seven starts.
However, with the young Irish pilot on the sidelines with injury, Hanlon has called up an old ally to deputise – having been one of the first to Blackmore’s talents at the fledgling stages of her career.
“We have Rachael Blackmore on board and I don’t think there is anything wrong with our jockey booking – we’ve got a great substitute,” continued Hanlon.
“It’s tough on Jordan because Gordon (Elliott) said he was available to go over, so it is very tough the way it has worked out. Hopefully he will be back in the saddle when we get back to Galway or somewhere.”
Kim Bailey’s First Flow and Joe Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen are next best on official figures but the biggest danger to Hewick could be the improving Solo who has seen the form of his Pendil Novices’ Chase victory franked in recent weeks.
The seven-year-old is one of two for Paul Nicholls alongside McFabulous as the champion trainer looks to win this contest for the fourth time in a row.
“Solo won the Pendil Novices’ Chase last time and the form has worked out well – the horse who finished second of Jamie Snowden won last week at Ayr. We’ve kept him fresh for this,” said the Ditcheat handler.
“McFabulous, his last two runs have been disappointing. He didn’t go on the soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day. He pulled up at Newbury and had an irregular heartbeat for whatever reason, but he’s been fine since. But he has been out of sorts and has to bounce back from that.
“Solo I think will go very well in this, but I think Hewick is the one to beat.”
Topham runner-up Fantastic Lady represents Nicky Henderson, with the field rounded off by Gary Moore’s hat-trick-seeking Black Gerry – a winner of four of his six appearances this term.
“He’s governed by the ground but has done amazingly well this year,” said Moore.
“It won’t be easy for him and he wants soft ground really, but the trip will suit him well.”
Although Black Gerry may be an outsider in the Oaksey Chase, Moore holds a strong hand in the bet365 Select Hurdle with Goshen.
The enigmatic seven-year-old was a good winner of the Ascot Hurdle in November before finishing second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton. But he now has a point to prove following some below-par efforts since.
“I like to think he has a reasonable chance,” said Moore.
“He hasn’t once been out of the money this year and I’ve done some stupid things with him – I’ve run him over fences twice and run him at Fontwell.
“He won’t be signing off because he will be running on the Flat if we have some soft ground next week, but hopefully he will be out in the field by June and July.”
Thyme Hill was a Grade One winner over fences earlier in the campaign but now reverts to hurdles for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, while Nicky Henderson saddles both 2018 winner Call Me Lord and the likeable mare Theatre Glory.
The five-strong line-up is complete by Knappers Hill, who was a winner of a handicap last yearat this meeting and has performed adequately when handed some stiff assignments this term.
“If he gets two-mile-five he will go well I think. We have kept him fresh for this,” said Nicholls.
“He ran twice in a week back in February which was a bit too much for him really and then we’ve kept him fresh for this.
“He won over two and a half at Chepstow on debut this season and definitely has a chance. I guess it will be good to soft and that will suit him well.”
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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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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The British Horseracing Authority has announced a number of changes to the Jumps Pattern programme in an effort to strengthen the upper tiers of British National Hunt racing.
Several graded races have been removed from the calendar altogether while others have changed date or in some cases, venue.
The changes have been made in an attempt to space out Graded and Pattern contests more appropriately and to increase competitiveness.
Headline changes in the hurdling division are the relocation of the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle from Sandown to Aintree’s new meeting on Boxing Day while the Grade Two International at Cheltenham will now take place on Trials day in January rather than in December.
Major alterations to the chasing programme include the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton becoming a Grade Two limited handicap while the Future Stars at Sandown and the Many Clouds at Aintree have been removed from the programme altogether.
Other races to be lost include the Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot, the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick, Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial and the Dipper at Cheltenham.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who sits on the Jump Pattern Committee which advises and suggests recommendations to the BHA board, won this season’s Tolworth with Tahmuras.
He said: “The changes to the timings and venues of certain races are all sensible and will help trainers better campaign their good horses. Increased competition and more prize-money at the top end can only be a good thing for the sport.”
There is also an ambition to introduce a new Grade One two-mile hurdle at the end of the season to provide another opportunity for those in that division after the Champion Hurdle.
BHA director of international racing and racing Development, Ruth Quinn, said: “The Jump Pattern programme in Britain has undergone an in-depth review, focusing on how we best support and improve the performance of jump racing at the top end of the pyramid, both in the short and longer-term.
“The Jump Pattern Committee has worked closely with racecourses, especially the Jockey Club – which stages most of our Jump Pattern races – to identify ways to see our best horses more regularly running against each other, but also strengthen our important developmental races, which help propel our horses towards the height of their ability.
“Working to these guiding principles, we have developed a package of changes, with races repositioned within a slimmed-down 2023/24 programme. The aim is to ensure our top contests are spaced more appropriately and consistently throughout the season – and hopefully deliver more competitive, meaningful and engaging racing as a consequence.
“Increased funding, investment and prize-money remains an important aim in terms of how we continually strengthen our higher profile contests, but these structural changes to the programme are a significant step in ensuring that our horses can maximise their prospects of succeeding at the highest level, as well producing a race programme that is consistently more engaging to bettors, fans and the media.”
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Paul Nicholls will head to Sandown on Saturday safe in the knowledge that a 14th trainers’ championship is already in the bag as he seeks to break his own prize money record.
Remarkably he is on course to break his best tally, set in 2007-08 when he housed the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Master Minded and Big Buck’s.
He needs less than £100,000 to topple the £3,646,511 earned in that stellar season and with major chances right throughout Saturday’s valuable card, it will be a surprise should he not manage it.
“We had the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, Big Buck’s, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges back then when we set that total and they won plenty of big races that season,” said Nicholls.
“We’ve got Bravemansgame, who was second in a Gold Cup and who has won a King George VI Chase and Charlie Hall, but collectively across the board there wouldn’t be the number of stars like back then.
“We are almost certain to break it as it is less than £100,000 that we need. We have two or three in almost every race at Sandown and plenty of runners during the week so I would be disappointed if we don’t do it and do it by a good bit.
“We have got a 28 per cent strike rate as well and we are chuffed with that and it reflects well on the whole team. It is nice going into the meeting with no pressure as I’ve already won a 14th trainers’ championship.”
Greaneteen will head the charge, bidding to win the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase for a third time. He could, though, face an unlikely rival in Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon.
“This is his race. He ran very well in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He would have been second had he not made a bad mistake at the top of the hill. He then stayed on and ran a really fine race,” said Nicholls.
“He loves Sandown and he is in good shape and is fresh and well. Hopefully he will go very well.
“Jonbon is in there but he would have to take his form to the next level. We are top on ratings and it is a bit different novice chasing compared to this sort of level but he is obviously a good horse.”
Frodon is due to carry a big weight in the bet365 Gold Cup but Nicholls has aimed him at the race for some time.
“I’ve had this race in mind for a while for Frodon. Good ground will suit him well. It would be handy if Hewick runs as he would keep the weights down,” said Nicholls.
“The track and trip will suit him a treat. He ran very well at Kempton the last day and he stayed on very well with 12st on his back. I think this is a nice race for him.
“It is a new trip but he has run well over an extended three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham and at Sandown on that good ground it will suit him well.”
Enrilo, Switch Hitter and Broken Halo are all set to join Frodon while Solo and McFabulous are in the bet365 Oaksey Chase, with the latter also holding an option over hurdles.
Knappers Hill is another with leading claims in the bet365 Select Hurdle.
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Paul Nicholls was full of praise for his jockey Harry Cobden after watching him make all the running on Rubaud in the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.
Cobden worked out on Friday that in front was the place to be – riding a treble for his boss – so he was keen to be in the box seat on the 7-2 favourite.
Since being bogged down in the ground when fancied for the Betfair Hurdle the five-year-old has won the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton, and it seems he prefers to go that way round.
Cobden had difficulty steering him at times, yet despite that still had plenty up his sleeve to hold off the late thrust of Lorna Fowler’s Colonel Mustard.
On quick ground, Rubaud jumped fluently throughout and stayed on strongly, holding off the Irish challenger by three lengths. Last year’s winner Anna Bunina was back in third.
Nicholls, who will be officially crowned champion trainer for the 14th time next week, said “That was a fantastic ride from the front, he’s not the easiest of rides but he’s beginning to relax.
“He went to Aintree last week, but we didn’t run him as the ground had gone soft. That was a fantastic ride.
“He jumps brilliant, you can see, he’ll be a fantastic chaser. He’s only young so we might start over hurdles and see where we end up.
“Harry is fantastic, he has a lot of confidence, he’s only 24 and is a fantastic team player, I’m really proud of him.”
Cobden told ITV Racing: “He’s definitely better right-handed. He was hanging the whole way. Down the back I edged into the middle of the course and going around the top bend I actually had two hands on my left rein to get him round it.
“He’s a lovely horse and will make a lovely chaser next year.”
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.”
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Pic D’Orhy provided champion trainer Paul Nicholls with his first winner of this year’s Grand National meeting at Aintree as he posted an assured display in the Marsh Chase.
Twice a winner at Grade Two level earlier in the season, the eight-year-old was last seen chasing home Thursday’s Aintree Bowl hero Shishkin in the Ascot Chase in February.
Nicholls deliberately sidestepped last month’s Cheltenham Festival to keep his charge fresh for Aintree and was handsomely rewarded as Pic D’Orhy secured his first Grade One success.
Always moving powerfully behind the pacesetting Minella Drama, Harry Cobden’s mount moved to the front between the final two obstacles and soon put clear daylight between himself and his rivals.
Fakir D’oudairies, bidding for a record third victory in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, briefly threatened to throw down a serious challenge approaching the last fence, but Pic D’Orhy showed no signs of stopping and was ultimately good value for the winning margin of four and a quarter lengths.
Nicholls was unable to run Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame as planned on Thursday due to an ownership issue and having seen the likes of Stage Star disappoint, the handler thinks some horses that ran at Cheltenham might have been feeling a swift return.
However, Pic D’Orhy’s plan was long mapped out.
Nicholls said: “What has happened with Bravemansgame might be a blessing in disguise. He had a hard race at Cheltenham so who knows, he’ll be back next year.
“This week has been quite hard, a few have disappointed, a few have run well but what we like is winning these Grade Ones with horses who have been aimed at them.
“He was trained for this race and it makes a big difference when you target them here. When you aim for Cheltenham, it is hard to get them back in that form again.
“I just thought he’d be better on the flatter track here. I’m not saying he’ll never go to Cheltenham another day, but this was the race we wanted to win ever since he won the Peterborough Chase. We set out to go to the Silviniaco Conti Chase, Ascot and then this. This track suits him really well.
“He’ll certainly get an entry for the King George.”
Cobden believes Pic D’Orhy’s improved jumping has been crucial to success.
He said: “I had a lovely run round. He galloped into the first but after that he jumped brilliantly and travelled well.
“We didn’t get racing too early and after the second-last I asked him to go and win his race. I was going to the last on a really long stride, I don’t normally ask for that off him so I gave him a flick to remind him and it worked.
“He’s become a very good jumper but he didn’t use to be, I got three really bad falls off him but he’s learned.
“He has a low head carriage and eyes them up well.”
Joseph O’Brien thought the race was not really run to suit Fakir D’oudairies, with a step up in trip on the cards.
He said: “I think he would have liked a stronger end-to-end gallop but he came home very well and I’m delighted with him.
“It’s always frustrating when you don’t win, but maybe he’s ready to go a bit further now.”
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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”.
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.”
https://devplatform.ggzssd.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2.71165259-scaled.jpg12802560DaveMhttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngDaveM2023-04-13 10:40:472023-04-13 10:40:47Nicholls ‘disappointed’ as Bravemansgame misses out at Aintree