Bravemansgame ready for crack at Betfair Chase at Haydock Park

Paul Nicholls is hoping the application of blinkers can bring Bravemansgame back to top form in Saturday's Betfair Chase at Haydock Park. The nine-year-old was among the final nine entries for the Grade One feature of this weekend's seven-race card at the Merseyside track, headed by Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning, who is a best-priced 9-4 favourite with Ladbrokes, bet365 and BetVictor.

Bravemansgame – who is a massive 14-1 chance with the sponsors Betfair, Paddy Power and Boylesports – has some smart form at the top level. But he has not won since landing the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day last year. A winner on Betfair Chase day in 2021 at Haydock, when landing a graduation chase, Bravemansgame also scored at the top level as a novice that season – at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He was runner-up in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup but has generally had to play second fiddle in Grade One company since. He was runner-up in the Betfair Chase to the reopposing Royale Pagaille and filled a similar position to fellow Betfair entrant Hewick in defence on his King George crow. He was then fifth back in the Gold Cup at Prestbury Park and sixth in the William Hill Bowl Chase at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse the following month.

Nicholls' chaser was also second behind another Betfair rival, The Real Whacker, as he looked to land back-to-back victories in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last month. That slightly lacklustre effort has seen the Ditcheat handler turn to blinkers to try and revive Bravemansgame to something like his best ahead of another crack at the King George on Boxing Day following his Haydock outing.

The 14-time champion jumps trainer has won the race a record six times, four times with the great Kauto Star, while the last from his stable to triumph was Silviniaco Conti, who scored twice in 2012 and 2014. Nicholls, speaking on a Zoom call arranged by The Jockey Club, admits his latest challenger is "not in the same league" as Kauto Star, but believes he has the ability to go well if the blinkers have the desired effect.

With stable jockey Harry Cobden, like the trainer himself, heading to Ascot on Saturday, Sam Twiston-Davies will partner Bravemansgame for the first time on Merseyside. Nicholls said: "Bryan (Drew) who owns him was quite keen for Sam to ride him, so that's ideal. Sam has ridden us lots of big winners and it's good to have him. He's straightforward to ride and he has blinkers on for the first time. Harry's thoughts after Wetherby were that some headgear might help him and he's worked nicely in them and schooled nicely this morning, so we're hoping that will bring out some improvement in him."

Kauto Star bounced back to form to win his record fourth Betfair Chase in 2011 as the Haydock crowd roared home their hero. Silviniaco Conti, like Bravemansgame, was beaten in the Charlie Hall Chase before sporting first-time cheekpieces to land his second success. Nicholls also remembers how blinkers improved See More Business when he claimed Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in 1999. On Bravemansgame doing something similar, he added: "It's quite an open race and I'm just hoping the blinkers bring out some improvement in him. I remember when we put them on See More Business for the first time and he actually won the Gold Cup. If they just sharpen up Bravemansgame and improve him a little bit, you never know. I do think he's quite a generous price.

"He's no Kauto Star. With all respect to Bravemansgame he's a good horse, but he's not in the same league as Kauto. He won four Betfair Chases and like all horses he had a few ups and downs in between and when we got him back right he was good. Bravemansgame has been running in all the top races and isn't getting any younger, but he's working nicely at home and looks fantastic.

"He's had some hard races ever since he was second in the (2023) Gold Cup and that was one hell of a hard race. Once you've had a few hard races and he's been at the top table for a long time, life doesn't get any easier. His record speaks for itself and he's won all those good races, but you could say he's just a little bit below the top grade."

Nicholls will be keeping an eye on the weather at Haydock. There is likely to be rain ahead of Saturday's meeting and although he is happy to let Bravemansgame line-up in softish conditions he hopes it doesn't get too testing.

He said: "There is rain forecast and it doesn't sound like the ground is going to be too bad, but if it was heavy he definitely won't run. If it's good to soft or something like that we'll be there."

Following his run at Haydock Bravemansgame will try and regain his crown in the King George on Boxing Day, although Nicholls said he will be given an entry in the Grand National, which could be a long-term aim. He added: "We've already discussed it and he will have an entry in the National, but we need to see where his handicap mark lies after his next two runs really. The plan is to run here and then go to the King George and he does like Kempton. We'll make a plan for the spring after that, but I'd be very keen to enter him for the National."

Ahoy Senor was third to Donald McCain's Minella Drama – who was the only horse taken out at the final declarations stage for the Betfair Chase – on his seasonal return in the Virgin Bet Old Roan Chase at the end of last month. Ahoy Senor had been second in the Grade One Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival before winning the Grade One Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree the following month. But things haven't always gone to plan since then and he hasn't won since landing the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase in January 2023. He has, though, been runner-up in the past two runnings of the Grade One William Hill Bowl Chase at Aintree. Ahoy Senor is a best-priced 6-1 with Ladbrokes and BetVictor.

Entries for the Betfair Chase at Haydock include one French-trained runner in Gabriel Leenders' Cleeve Hurdle hero Gold Tweet, who is a best-priced 16-1 with Ladbrokes, William Hill, sponsors Betfair and Paddy Power. Last year's winner Royale Pagaille, from the Venetia Williams' stable, is a best-priced 9-2 second favourite with most bookmakers including sponsors Betfair to triumph again.

There are three Irish entries in the Shark Hanlon-trained Hewick, who won the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day last year; Willie Mullins' Capodanno, who was supplemented to the field earlier this week; and Gavin Cromwell's Limerick Lace. Capodanno is a best-priced 10-1 with Betfair, bet365 and Paddy Power, while Hewick is also available at 10-1 with Ladbrokes, bet365 and BetVictor.

Patrick Neville's The Real Whacker, who beat Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last month, completes the line-up and is a best-priced 14-1 with William Hill, Betfair and Paddy Power.

The current going at Haydock Park is currently good, good to soft in places, but clerk of the course Dan Cooper is expecting conditions to be softer before racing starts on Saturday. He said: "We've had snow here since Monday after a relatively dry autumn. The only real rain this November came last weekend, so that's why at the moment the going description is relatively sound as good, good to soft in places. The snow came at the start of the week and it's still here now. We're hoping that will defrost quite nicely today as temperatures are rising each hour and I've got no doubt that thaw will begin to change conditions.

"With rain forecast, I anticipate a going change. The forecast began to take prominence around Monday of a quite certain wet Saturday, wall-to-wall rain from the start of the day right through until the end of the day. There's fluctuating forecasts, but the one I rely on is predicting around 11 millimetres by midday. I think the good thing to say on that is we've not raced here this season, so the track will take every millimetre of that no problem. It's not like we're going to be on opened-up ground and I can't see it getting to heavy or anything like that, but it will change from where we are now, there's no doubt about that."

The seven-race card at Haydock Park on Saturday sees the action start at 12.05pm with the opening contest, the Betfair Racing Podcast Newton Novices’ Hurdle. The finale, the Betfair ‘Free Racing Multiple Today’ Handicap Steeple Chase, is due off at 3.35pm. Gates open at 10.05am and tickets are priced from £28 for adults, if booked in advance. For more information and to buy tickets go online at https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/haydock/events-tickets/betfair-chase/

Final entries for the Betfair Chase (Grade One) 3m1f125y, Haydock Park Racecourse, Saturday, November 23 2024 (3.05pm)

(horse, age, weight, owner, trainer, jockey)

1 Ahoy Senor (IRE) 9-11-10 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
2 Bravemansgame (FR) 9-11-10 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls Sam Twiston-Davies
3 Capodanno (FR) 8-11-10 Mr JP McManus Willie Mullins (Ireland) Brian Hughes
4 Gold Tweet (FR) 7-11-10 AGV Karwin Stud Gabriel Leenders (France) Gabin Meunier
5 Grey Dawning (IRE) 7-11-10 Mr Robert Kirkland Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
6 Hewick (IRE) 9-11-10 Mr TJ McDonald John Joseph Hanlon (Ireland)
7 Royale Pagaille (FR) 10-11-10 Mrs Susannah Ricci Venetia Williams
8 The Real Whacker (IRE) 8-11-10 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville
9 Limerick Lace (IRE) 7-11-3 Mr JP McManus Gavin Cromwell (Ireland)

Nine final entries (3 Irish-trained, 1 French-trained)

The Betfair Chase (Betfair odds): 7-4 Grey Dawning, 9-2 Royale Pagaille, 5-1 Ahoy Senor 9-1 Hewick, 10-1 Capodanno, 12-1 Limerick Lace 14-1 The Real Whacker, 14-1 Bravemansgame, 20-1 Gold Tweet. Each-Way three places

REST OF THE HAYDOCK CARD:

12.08pm Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices' Hurdle 1m 7f 144y

1 Bold Light (IRE) 7-11-2 Mr J Scott Lucinda Russell Danny McMenamin
2 Country Mile (IRE) 5-11-2 Mr Stephen Bough Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
3 Roadlesstravelled (IRE) 5-11-2 Brook Farm Bloodstock Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
4 Rocheval (FR) 4-11-2 Mrs S Russell & A M Russell Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
5 Saracen Beau (IRE) 5-11-2 Mr Anthony Peter Fowler Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan
6 Lily du Berlais ts 8-10-9 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland Brian Hayes
7 Not Now Nathaniel h 4-10-9 TS Equine Donald McCain Brian Hughes

BETTING FORECAST: 11-4 Lily Du Berlais, 7-2 Roadlesstravelled, 9-2 Rocheval, 5-1 Saracen Beau, 6-1 Country Mile, 10-1 Bold Light, 12-1 Not Now Nathaniel

12.40pm Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Chase 2m 67y

1 Xcitations 9-12-0 G Libson, D Bayliss, T Davies & P Sly Pam Sly Charlie Todd
2 Home Free (IRE) ts 6-12-0 Union Stripes Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
3 General Medrano (IRE) 7-12-0 Elite Racing 003 Emma Lavelle Tom Bellamy
4 Netywell (FR) 7-12-0 County Set Five & K Hunter Lucinda Russell Derek Fox
5 Eden du Houx (FR) ts 10-11-13 Prof. Caroline Tisdall David Pipe Jack Tudor
6 Galunggung (FR) 8-11-9 Nigel Dunnington & David Shaw Donald McCain Brian Hughes
7 Dr T J Eckleburg (IRE) 6-10-11 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams Conor Ring

BETTING FORECAST: 7-4 Home Free, 7-2 Galunggung, 4-1 Netywell, 7-1 General Medrano, 10-1 Xcitations, 12-1 Eden Du Houx, 14-1 Dr T J Eckleburg

1.15pm Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 191y

1 Steel Ally (FR) 6-12-0 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston (3)
2 Kamsinas (FR) 7-11-12 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Kamsinas Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke
3 Anyharminasking (IRE) p 7-11-12 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
4 Punta Del Este (FR) ts 5-11-11 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
5 Beat The Bat (IRE) 6-11-9 Twelfth Man Partnership 6 Harry Fry Bryan Carver
6 Josh The Boss ts 5-11-8 Mr JD Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Jamie Neild (7)
7 Dans Le Vent (FR) 11-11-2 R J Gambarini Racing Evan Williams Isabel Williams (3)
8 N'Golo (IRE) ts, p 9-11-1 Mr D Mann & Mrs W Duffus Patrick Neville Gavin Sheehan
9 Ballygeary (IRE) p 7-10-13 Craig & Laura Buckingham Donald McCain Brian Hughes
10 Bowenspark (IRE) v 6-10-13 Hemmings Racing Henry Daly Sam Twiston-Davies
11 Fine Casting (IRE) 8-10-10 Mrs SP Davis Ben Pauling Beau Morgan (5)
12 Knight of Allen (FR) 4-10-10 Holt, Macnabb, Robinson & Jeffrey Mrs Jane Williams David Noonan
13 Lively Citizen (IRE) 9-10-10 Mark E Smith and Keith M Hawes DJ Jeffreys Tom Bellamy
14 Park Annonciade (FR) ts 6-10-7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Stuart. Crawford Northern Ireland Ben Bromley (5)
15 Lavida Adiva (IRE) 5-10-6 Drew & Ailsa Russell Ruth Jefferson Jamie Hamilton

BETTING FORECAST: 9-2 Beat The Bat, 5-1 Kamsinas), 7-1 Punta Del Este), Josh The Boss, 8-1 Steel Ally, 10-1 Bowenspark, Anyharminasking, 12-1 Knight Of Allen, Park Annonciade, 16-1 Fine Casting, Lavida Adiva, 25-1 Dans Le Vent, N'Golo, Ballygeary, 33-1 Lively Citizen.

1.50pm Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase 2m5f127y

1 Lieutenant Command (FR) 10-11-11 Tynedale Racing Partnership Tim Reed Harry Reed
2 Iroko (FR) ts 6-11-8 Mr JP McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
3 Tahmuras (FR) p 7-11-8 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Tahmuras Paul Nicholls Jonathan Burke
4 Trelawne p 8-11-8 The Real Partnership Kim Bailey Tom Bellamy
5 Deafening Silence (IRE) 7-11-0 My Racing Manager Friends Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
6 Hillcrest (IRE) 9-11-0 Hemmings Racing Henry Daly Sam Twiston-Davies

BETTING FORECAST: 5-4 Iroko, 7-2 Tahmuras, 4-1 Trelawne, 5-1 Hillcrest, 12-1 Deafening Silence, 50-1 Lieutenant Command.

2.30pm Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m58y

1 Twig p 9-12-0 Mrs G Morgan Ben Pauling Beau Morgan (5)
2 Shoot First (IRE) 8-11-10 Dubai Cowboys Syndicate Charles Byrnes Ireland Alex Harvey (5)
3 Kerryhill (IRE) 6-11-8 They Are Never at Home Partnership Ruth Jefferson Brian Hughes
4 Gwennie May Boy (IRE) 6-11-8 Ms Gwendoline M Clarke Dan Skelton Charlie Todd
5 Push The Button (IRE) 5-11-3 Jimmy & Susie Wenman Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
6 Jody Ted (IRE) 8-11-1 Mr Mark McDonagh Eoin Griffin Ireland MM McDonagh (3)
7 Zain Nights p 5-11-1 J and J McAndrew Lucy Wadham Tom Cannon
8 Doyen Quest (IRE) 6-11-1 (5lb ex) Exors of the late Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
9 Ottizzini (IRE) 7-11-0 VictoriaBrann, Catherine Gabbett, Anthea Smyth Stuart Crawford Northern Ireland Brian Hayes
10 The Imposter (FR) v,ts 7-10-10 Mark Phillips & The late Mr J H Gumbley Nigel Hawke Tom Buckley (3)
11 Backmersackme (IRE) 5-10-10 Mr P Byrne Emmet Mullins Ireland Donagh Meyler
12 Castle Rushen (IRE) p 9-10-10 Hemmings Racing Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan
13 Phantomofthepoints (IRE) 6-10-9 Mrs Jo Tracey,K Alexander, P&S Bryceland David Pipe Jack Tudor
14 Catch Him Derry (IRE) 6-10-9 Jolly Boys Outing Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell (3)
15 One Big Bang (IRE) 6-10-9 Big Bang Racing James Owen CM Hogan (7)
16 Patriotik (FR) 5-10-5 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams Isabel Williams (3)

BETTING FORECAST: 11-4 Doyen Quest, 5-1 Catch Him Derry, 6-1 Shoot First, 10-1 Backmersackme, Kerryhill, 12-1 One Big Bang, Gwennie May Boy, 14-1 Patriotik, 16-1 Phantomofthepoints, Zain Nights, 20-1 Push The Button, Jody Ted, 25-1 The Imposter, Ottizzini, 33-1 Twig, Castle Rushen.

3.40pm Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase 3m1f125y

1 Le Milos 9-12-0 The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
2 Monbeg Genius (IRE) ts 8-12-0 Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill Nick Scholfield
3 Fontaine Collonges (FR) 9-11-10 Mr P Davies Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
4 Prairie Wolf (IRE) 7-11-4 Mr GR Orchard & Mrs JM Gray Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith Jack Tudo
5 Dare To Shout ts 7-11-2 Mr Ian Hamilton Ann Hamilton Danny McMenamin
6 My Silver Lining (IRE) 8-11-0 Mrs Celia Djivanovic Emma Lavelle James Best
7 Hititi (FR) p 7-11-0 Dr & Mrs John Millar Robert Walford Brian Hughes
8 Credo (IRE) 9-10-12 Potwell Racing Syndicate II Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies
9 Pepe Le Moko (FR) 6-10-10 Mr Len Jakeman & Mrs Jane Williams Mrs Jane Williams David Noonan
10 Take Your Time (IRE) p 9-10-10 Owners Group 060 Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell (3)
11 Prince des Fichaux (FR) p 7-10-2 John Elliot & Partners Ewan Whillans Sean Quinlan

BETTING FORECAST: 4-1 Take Your Time, 11-2 Le Milos, 6-1 Credo, 7-1 Fontaine Collonges, Hititi, 8-1 Dare To Shout, 10-1 Monbeg Genius, My Silver Lining, 12-1 Pepe Le Moko, 14-1 Prairie Wolf, 25-1 Prince Des Fichaux.

Betfair spokesman, Barry Orr, said: “A record-equalling nine intended runners with Grey Dawning leading the charge, as he has throughout the betting, at 7-4. The weather forecast is unsettled, and punters are keen to be with a couple of runners, each-way, at bigger prices. Last year’s winner, Royale Pagaille, is 9-2 from 6-1 and the Gavin Cromwell-trained Limerick Lace has also come in for some each-way support and is now 12-1 from 20-1. Having said that, the favourite is very strong at the head of the market and could go off shorter than his current 7-4.”