Brave choice to win battle of the talents

RivalRies are renewed in today’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase as BRAVEMANSGAME (Wetherby, 3.35) and the talented ahoy senor do battle once more.

The latter leads the head-to-head 2-1 and choosing between the old adversaries is a tough call, with the conditions sure to suit both and connections equally bullish about the season ahead.

Given the vibes emanating from Ditcheat — and the fact that Bravemansgame has had a much-needed wind operation — marginal preference is for him, especially as he is reported to have thrived for a summer at grass.

an abject disappointment when the duo met at aintree in the spring, the selection was thought to have been past his best, though trainer Paul Nicholls insisted he was being primed for Cheltenham.

a Festival deluge meant he missed his intended target, but his preparation for today is said to have gone well and Wetherby looks set to host a terrific renewal.

earlier on the card, SPORTING JOHN (Wetherby, nb, 3.00) can begin to make up for lost time with victory in the bet365 Hurdle. The seven-year-old, an 11th-hour absentee from the Cheltenham Festival with a pulled muscle, returned to hurdles last term in what seemed a breakthrough campaign until injury struck.

Thought good enough to tackle the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle two years ago, sporting John failed to shine when a well-backed 5-1 chance as envoi allen announced his arrival on the big stage with victory.

it is perhaps fair to say that neither horse has realised the undoubted raw potential they have shown at times, but the signs were that sporting John was beginning to click before his season was brought to a halt following a smooth Warwick victory in January.

Off the track since then, trainer Philip Hobbs does at least have a horse without too many miles on the clock and he would not be the first failed chaser to make an impact back in staying hurdle events — remember Big Buck’s?