Class can see this Brave steed reign back-to-back
Bravemansgame has suffered odds-on defeats twice this season but his permanent class can overcome those temporary form blips at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Paul Nicholls is seeking to train the winner of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase for the 14th time.
It pays to trust that he will have last year’s hero pitch-perfect for the day that matters most.
Neither of the eight-year-old’s earlier runs at Wetherby and Haydock will register among his finest.
Finishing second in a slog with Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall might have left its mark on him in the Betfair Chase where he was comfortably beaten by Royal Pagaille.
Having Harry Cobden, who missed the ride at Haydock, back on board is a positive.
A foot injury has ruled Royal Pagaille out of attempting a repeat, leaving Allaho and Shishkin as Bravemansgame’s main rivals.
Allaho was an absolute monster in two Ryanair Chase wins. This is a first British challenge away from Cheltenham for Willie Mullins’ charge.
A rare spleen injury caused Allaho to miss 2022/23 and he returned at Clonmel over a shorter trip where his jumping was scratchy.
That makes him a dubious proposition at 6/4 favourite, while Shishkin is on the naughty list after refusing to start at Ascot.
Frodon, the 2020 hero and 50/1 this year, is the only one of Nicholls’ five previous King George VI winners NOT to have at least doubled up.
See More Business, Silviniaco Conti and Clan Des Obeaux landed the prize twice while Kauto Star’s five will surely never be emulated.
Bravemansgame is the most solid Kempton prospect to
beat a field that also includes Brown Advisory winner The Real Whacker and Hewick.
The Real Whacker accounted for Gerri Colombe in game fashion at Cheltenham in March.
Gerri Colombe was a notable absentee for Kempton, preferring to stay at home for Christmas.
A few weeks ago, there wasn’t any prospect of a blockbuster meeting of Ireland’s top chasers.
But first there was the news of Galopin Des Champs’ countdown to Cheltenham being rejigged to take in the Savills Chase and a rematch with his Punchestown conqueror Fastorslow.
Then, on Thursday, Gordon Elliott revealed up-and-coming
star Gerri Colombe would take on the Gold Cup winner at Leopardstown instead of Bravemansgame.
Gerri Colombe rates the value in that clash of the titans on Thursday at 3/1.
There are intriguing challenges for Scottish contenders at the big festive meetings.
Giovinco (11/4) is plunged into Grade One combat with big guns in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase for Lucinda Russell.
Fascinating French prospect Il Est Francais is a hot favourite making the trip away from home turf of Auteuil for the first time, while Hermes Allen steps in for injured Paul Nicholls’ star
Knappers Hill.
Cannock Park, a Cheltenham winner with his first runner at the track for Paul Robson, will be at Aintree for its inaugural Boxing Day card.
The Formby Novices’ Hurdle is the new name for the Tolworth, moved from Sandown, and sees Cannock Park take on nine rivals. Hawick’s Robson was “flabbergasted” to win at Cheltenham’s November meeting. However, a pleasing run against the likes of Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie and Royal Bond winner Farren Glory would allow Robson to dream of returning for the Supreme Novices’ in March.