Nicholls has grounds for optimism over Brave bid
CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls says Bravemansgame is ‘sparkling again’, ahead of his attempt to win back-to-back runnings of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
Drying ground at Kempton coming on top of the positive signs Nicholls has seen in Bravemansgame. have further boosted the trainer’s confidence.
Defeat in his two races this season — the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and the Betfair Chase at Haydock — have raised questions about whether last season’s tough campaign when Bravemansgame was also second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup had left its mark.
The reverses mean Harry
Cobden’s mount, who won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance as the King George in 2021, is the 2-1 second favourite behind Willie Mullinstrained Allaho (13-8).
The going at Kempton could be Good (Good-to-soft in places) by Tuesday. Bravemansgame has raced 10 times on ground that is Good To
Soft or quicker and won on six of those occasions.
Nicholls, who has won the King George a record 13 times, said: ‘The big key for me is the ground and the track. He has won there twice in two starts and good ground is massive to him.
‘Harry schooled him on Thursday morning and said, ‘‘Wow, he is right back to himself’’. He jumped brilliantly and half ran away with him on the gallops.
‘I am also confident because we have got our ground. When he won the Charlie Hall Chase last season, it was good ground bordering in good to firm. If the ground had been like it this season he would probably have won again and he ran well enough. He was nowhere near ready. I have been able to get him back to where I want him now. He is fresh and well and seems to be sparkling again.’
Nicholls also run 2020 winner Frodon, the mount of Bryony Frost but is realistic about his chance. The trainer added: ‘If Frodon finished third we’d all be delighted. He will
put it up to them and is in good shape but he’s 11-years-old now.’
As expected, six horses have been declared to run in the King George. Sponsors Ladbrokes report support for Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin, who is now a 9-2 shot. The well-being of the stable was underlined when the trainer had two winners at Ascot and Haydock yesterday.