Shellshocked Nicholls still can't believe he was beaten by best since Sprinter
It's silly statement season. You have about six weeks or so to say what you want, no filter required, and the chances are you will get away with it for a while. Well, until the jumper you are jinxing reappears anyway. So, here goes: Bob Olinger could be the best horse we've seen since Sprinter Sacre. There, I said it.
It dawned on me while listening to Paul Nicholls chatting to Kevin Blake this week. It was a jumps season preview for Betfair and the 12-time champion trainer was on about Bravemansgame. "Harry [Cobden] couldn't believe he got beat," he said of last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
"He said he gave him an amazing feel; he jumped and galloped. Then, he said he looked over his shoulder coming down to the second-last and there was Rachael [Blackmore] doing a half-speed. That must be a very, very smart horse. He's got to be."
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