Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Brave call up at Haydock
BRAVEMANSGAME is backed to show his class and come out on top in a fascinating renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Last season’s King George winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runnerup has established himself as the best staying chaser in Britain and made a satisfactory return to action at Wetherby earlier this month.
Harry Cobden looked to be sitting pretty until a final-fence blunder allowed Ireland’s Gentlemansgame to secure victory in the Charlie Hall.
Paul Nicholls then hinted his charge would head straight to Kempton on Boxing Day for the defence of his King George crown.
However, the eight-year-old clearly came out of that race in good spirits and, with conditions at Haydock set to be better than expected, the Ditcheat handler had no hesitation in changing plans.
Much has been made of the riding arrangements for this weekend, with Daryl Jacob coming in to replace Ascot-bound Cobden, but both jockeys have similar styles and, if anything, the former should be even more determined to stake his claim to stay on board if the chance arises again.
Dan Skelton has made no secret of the fact this is Protektorat’s top target and he was impressive when romping home by 11 lengths 12 months ago.
However, it must be noted that he did not have that much to beat once it became apparent that A Plus Tard was badly out of sorts, plus there is a question mark over how some of Skelton’s horses have performed first time out this term.
Jacob can earlier secure success on Carnfunnock in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle, with Stuart Crawford’s sixyear-old having plenty of scope for improvement entering his second season over timber.
The above-mentioned Cobden will be hoping for a good day at Ascot to provide some compensation for missing out on Bravemansgame and Pic D’Orhy is rated a value bet to upset Shishkin in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase. He signed off last term with a fine Grade One triumph in the Melling Chase at Aintree and has reportedly progressed again over the summer break.
Meanwhile, the enigmatic Goshen has been well backed to repeat last year’s success in the Coral Hurdle, having slammed Brewin’upastorm by eight lengths on that occasion.