Charlie Hall Chase: 'Everything looks right for him' - Nicholls on Bravemansgame

Saturday: 3.35 Wetherby
bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Bravemansgame will seek to avenge his Aintree defeat when two of last season's outstanding novice chasers face off again at Wetherby.

The rivalry between Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor dates back to April 2021, when the latter, a 66-1 shot, finished seven lengths clear of the 13-8 favourite in Aintree's Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

Bravemansgame won his first two starts over fences the following season and denied Ahoy Senor in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton before winning a handicap chase at Newbury in February.

He missed out on another clash with Ahoy Senor after being ruled out of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and was no match for his rival when beaten 30 lengths in the Mildmay Novices' Chase in April.

The seven-year-old, who had wind surgery over the summer, won on his first start last season and champion trainer Paul Nicholls believes his freshness will be a big bonus when he lines up against four rivals.

"Bravemansgame is in great form and we're looking forward to it," said Nicholls, who bids for his fifth victory in the Charlie Hall Chase.

"Ahoy Senor has beaten us twice but we've always appeared to go well fresh and hopefully that'll help us. I think he'll absolutely love the track and that better ground as well. Everything looks right for him. He's got a great chance and I'm hopeful for a big run."

Bravemansgame was set to be joined by stablemate Secret Investor, but he was declared a non-runner on Friday.

'Ahoy Senor is outstanding to deal with'

Lucinda Russell said she was looking forward to putting Ahoy Senor's Gold Cup credentials to the test on his first start in open company.

The seven-year-old made an inconspicuous start over fences when unseating Derek Fox on his first outing of the season at Carlisle but soon announced himself as a novice chaser to follow when winning the Grade 2 John Francome Novices' Chase in November by 31 lengths.

After defeat to Bravemansgame on Boxing Day, Ahoy Senor beat Grand National winner Noble Yeats in the Towton Novices' Chase before chasing home L'Homme Presse at the Cheltenham Festival.

That was followed by an emphatic five-length victory over Fury Road on his final start of the season in the Mildmay Novices' Chase in April, after which he was cut to 8-1 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ahoy Senor: still aiming for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup after Aintree Grade 1 successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Ahoy Senor was occasionally let down by his jumping last season and Peter Scudamore, Russell's partner and assistant, said on Thursday that the yard's star had shown improvement over fences at home.

"He was a good novice last year," said Russell. "His jumping was a bit troublesome at times but he got better through the season. I hope he'll be foot perfect and we can get the season off to a good start.

"It's a funny thing having a horse of this standard. He's outstanding to deal with at home. We just have to get him to the track in the best condition. This is proper racing. I said to someone we're not worried about handicap marks when we're running horses like Ahoy Senor. We're running them on their merits and hope they keep improving.

"The aim is to see if he's good enough to run in the Gold Cup. I've spoken to the owners and we all got a taste of Cheltenham this year – we want to see if he's able to run in the ultimate race."

What they say

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Eldorado Allen
This has always been his target for the start of the season. The flat three miles suited him well at Newbury and we think the track will be ideal for him. Obviously, there are a couple of second-season chasers that are top drawer, but we are the highest-rated in the race and have conditions to suit. He runs well fresh and has done plenty of work.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Paint The Dream
It's a competitive race and a big ask but if you're not in, you can't win. He's in great form at home, has already had a run, and Connor Brace gets on with him very well. He's suited by a flat track, will try to jump off in front and we'll see how long he can stay there for.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Sam Brown
He's come through his preparation without any dramas and we have pressed enough buttons so that he can do himself justice. He's definitely up to this level and given his rating of 157, there are not many options short of going for a race like the Coral Gold Cup.

Saturday's race previews:

1.30 Ascot: 'We watched him school and he was electric' - Goshen camp confident

2.25 Wetherby: will talent over readiness prevail in the Listed Mares' Hurdle?

2.40 Ascot: 'He's better here than anywhere else' - who wins out of the Ascot specialists?

3.00 Wetherby: can Sporting John make up for lost time on his return from a 287-day absence?

3.15 Ascot: 'He loves it at Ascot' - course form can come to the fore in valuable handicap

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