Cheltenham hopeful Bravemansgame to run in novice handicap at Newbury

Paul Nicholls said his leading Cheltenham Festival contender Bravemansgame will be aimed at the novice handicap chase (1.15) at Newbury on Saturday rather than the Betfair Denman Chase.

The seven-year-old, who extended his unbeaten record over fences to three with victory over Ahoy Senor at Kempton in December, is a general 7-2 shot for next month's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

He heads a strong team heading to the Betfair-sponsored meeting for Nicholls, who is bidding to bounce back from a poor run of form. Bravemansgame also holds an entry in the Denman Chase alongside stablemate Clan Des Obeaux, second in the King George last time, but the trainer said: "The intention is for Bravemansgame to run in the novice handicap as a prep for Cheltenham. I thought if anything happened to Clan it's also worth having the option of the Denman.

"Bravemansgame doesn't have too many options. I don't want to run him at Ascot next week as it's too close to the festival. It's a limited handicap but it could have a small field and looks like an ideal prep.

"Clan Des Obeaux ran well at Kempton last time and was only just beaten in the Denman Chase last season. He was never going to go to Cheltenham so there weren't too many more options for him."

Clan Des Obeaux (centre): chased home Tornado Flyer in the King GeorgeCredit: Mark Cranham

Nicholls is also set to be represented on the Newbury card by Knappers Hill, who featured among 16 confirmations on Monday for the Betfair Hurdle (3.35). He was last seen finishing third at Ascot behind Jonbon and Colonel Mustard and heads the sponsor's market at 5-1 along with Jpr One and Broomfield Burg.

"He's in good shape," said Nicholls. "This has been his target for a while and it's quite common for us to aim some well-handicapped novices at the race – it felt like the right route to take after Ascot.

"I think he's a really strong stayer and a fast-run race will suit him. His inexperience might count against him a fraction but he showed improvement last time and we've worked hard on his jumping. You need a well-handicapped horse and he seems to be on a nice mark.

"I'm not sure Cheltenham would necessarily suit him with his lack of jumping experience so if he runs well he could go to Aintree."

Nicholls also provided an update on Hitman, who is on target for the Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00) after finishing second behind Greaneteen in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek last time.

"We always thought he'd end up running here rather than take on Shishkin and Energumene at Ascot," said Nicholls. "He finished second in the Tingle Creek and Haldon Gold Cup – this looks ideal."

Nicholls has decided not to send any runners to the track in the first part of the week as he and his team search for the reason behind the yard's sudden loss of form but he could be represented at Huntingdon on Thursday by Challow Hurdle winner Stage Star.

Stage Star: unbeaten over hurdles for Paul NichollsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He is entered in the Urban Logistics Reit Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle (3.10) but also has the option of a Listed contest at Exeter on Sunday as a prep for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

The ground at Newbury was good to soft on Monday and clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: "We had a bit of rain on Friday and Saturday morning. We're generally good to soft but soft in places on a few spots on the back straight. There's not much rain forecast.

"It's going to get cold after a front moves through on Wednesday. That might bring a little bit of rain. I can't see it drying out too much and I'd imagine it will be good to soft, winter ground by Saturday."

Betfair Hurdle (Newbury, February 12)

Sponsors: 5 Jpr One, Broomfield Burg, Knappers Hill, 6 Soaring Glory, 8 Jetoile, Metier, Tritonic, 10 Boothill, I Like To Move It, 16 Fifty Ball, 20 First Street, Royaume Uni, Glory And Fortune, 33 Howdyalikemenow, 40 Lord Baddesley, 66 bar

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