Paul Nicholls, the 14-time champion trainer, is banking on first-time blinkers to bring out the best in Bravemansgame as he aims for a seventh Betfair Chase victory this Saturday at Haydock. While acknowledging that Bravemansgame doesn’t measure up to his legendary four-time winner Kauto Star, Nicholls draws comparisons to Silviniaco Conti, who triumphed in the Betfair Chase in 2012 and 2014 after a similar form dip.
Bravemansgame has something to prove, having last won nearly two years ago in the King George VI Chase and falling short in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby for the second straight season. This weekend, he will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, with stable jockey Harry Cobden opting for Ascot. Twiston-Davies takes the reins as Bravemansgame lines up as a 14-1 outsider, a price Nicholls believes could hold value if the blinkers have their intended effect.
"Sam has ridden plenty of big winners for us, and he’s straightforward to ride,” Nicholls said. “The blinkers might just sharpen him up. Harry suggested them after Wetherby, and he’s worked and schooled well in them. Hopefully, it will bring some improvement.”
Nicholls pointed to previous successes with headgear, including See More Business, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with blinkers in 1999, and Silviniaco Conti, who wore cheekpieces during his second Betfair Chase victory. Still, Nicholls tempered expectations, acknowledging Bravemansgame’s tough schedule and the toll it may have taken.
“He’s not Kauto Star, with all respect. Kauto had his ups and downs, but when he was right, he was brilliant. Bravemansgame has been in top-level races for a long time and had some hard runs, including that tough second in the 2023 Gold Cup. He’s a good horse but just below the very top grade.”
Weather and ground conditions will also play a key role in Saturday’s race. While Nicholls is comfortable with soft going, he emphasised that heavy ground would force Bravemansgame to withdraw.
Looking ahead, Nicholls plans to reassess after the Betfair Chase and the King George on Boxing Day. A potential entry in the Grand National is on the table, depending on Bravemansgame’s performance and handicap mark after the next two runs.
“He’ll have an entry for the National, but we’ll firm up plans after Haydock and Kempton. For now, the focus is on getting the best out of him this weekend.”
Bravemansgame’s performance at Haydock will determine whether blinkers can help him reclaim some of his past glory on one of the sport’s biggest stages.