Paul Nicholls: 'He's really improving and goes into the race like Denman'

Paul Nicholls has described Bravemansgame as his best chance of a Cheltenham Festival winner next week but added that last year's Champion Chase hero Politologue is in "seriously good form" as he prepares to defend his crown.

Nicholls was talking to the Racing Post for a big interview in Sunday's newspaper, in which he discusses his more relaxed approach to Cheltenham these days compared to his early days as a trainer when, by his own admission, he "ran horses that had no chance".

The 11-time champion trainer is now saving a high-quality team for Aintree but still has plenty of ammunition for next week and is particularly keen on Bravemansgame in Wednesday's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

"I'd say he's our best chance," he said. "He's really improving and goes into the race like Denman, with a high profile, having won the Challow, and although we all know Denman managed to get beat and it's a tough race to win, he'd have a great chance."

Nicholls also sang the praises of Politologue, who was among a dozen horses taken to Wincanton for a recent workout.

"You know he'll run his race and he loves the place, especially with the ground drying out," said Nicholls. "He's still not seen as being as sexy as some of the others, but he's already been to five festivals and he keeps getting there and playing his game.

"Chacun Pour Soi looks unbeatable if he performs like he did at Leopardstown, but there's an if about that and we know our lad will turn up and do his job."

Nicholls is also planning to run Houx Gris and Hell Red in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, Ashutor in the Grand Annual, Southfield Harvest and Storm Arising in the Pertemps Final, Bob And Co in the Hunters' Chase, Thyme White in the County Hurdle, and Barbados Buck's and Threeunderthrufive in the Albert Bartlett.

Read more from Paul Nicholls in the Big Read, available to members from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Join Members' Club here.

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