Paul Nicholls has actually raised the possibility of Bravemansgame objecting to the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury next month en path to a 2nd tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old needed to use the runner-up area in his quote for back-to-back success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, with Nicholls of the belief he might have held back the fast-finishing Hewick had he not been obstructed by Shishkin’s exit 2 fences from home.
Last season Bravemansgame headed directly from the King George to the Gold Cup, in which he ended up second to Galopin Des Champs, however confessed in his most current ‘Ditcheat Journal’ instalment with Betfair that he is having a change of mind as how finest to approach the blue riband this time around.
” He’s come out of the race effectively in fact, he’s had a simple time and has actually kept his condition this year much better than ever previously,” stated the champ fitness instructor.
” There’s great deals of dispute raving who would have won and I believe if Shishkin and Bravemansgame had not got in a little bit of a muddle, it would have been truly fascinating. He (Bravemansgame) certainly revealed indications he’s returning to his finest and I believe it would have been extremely close.
” I was going to go directly to Cheltenham and I have not talked to Bryan (Drew, owner), however I have actually talked to Clifford (Baker, head lad) and I stated ‘look, each time we went to the Gold Cup with Kauto Star or Silviniaco Conti or Denman, we constantly ran in the Denman Chase en-route to Cheltenham’.
Hewick leaps under Gavin Sheehan in the King George, with Bravemansgame back in 2nd
” I simply believed why not alter tack a bit and instead of being too tough on him in the house, keep him good and fresh and take a look, perhaps, at the Denman Chase and after that go on to Cheltenham.
” The Denman Chase is a possibility, I’m not stating it’s certain, however we might attempt to do something various with him and train him a bit in a different way.”
Keep away Fay anticipated to stay in newbie business
Bravemansgame is among 2 Gold Cup entries for Nicholls in addition to star newbie Keep away Fay.
Nicholls anticipates the latter to adhere to newbie business at the Celebration at this phase, although that might alter if he takes his opportunity and impresses in the Cotswold Chase on Celebration Trials Day.
Keep away Fay wins at Sandown on Friday under Harry Cobden
He included: “He’s extremely not likely to run in the Gold Cup, I simply put him because since we remained in the Cotswold Chase.
” He’s on schedule to run perhaps in the Cotswold Chase, or the Reynoldstown is the other excellent choice for him, and if you’re not in it (Gold Cup) you can’t run.
” Let’s simply see how we work on our next start. I do not believe I have actually ever run a beginner in the Gold Cup, however newbies have actually won it, so it is possible.
” In 2015’s winner (Galopin Des Champs) looks the one to beat – he looks head and shoulders above everyone else – however has he enhanced that much from when he beat Bravemansgame 7 lengths in 2015?
” Because race recently in Ireland (Savills Chase), he looked excellent, however I can’t think he’s that far in front of all the others. Possibly he is, however we have actually got to keep all our alternatives open.”