Newbury: Nicholls to follow Denman route with 'proper horse' Bravemansgame

Bravemansgame received quotes for some of the top novice hurdle races at the Cheltenham Festival and could make his next appearance in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury after his easy victory in the 2m4½f novice hurdle.

The five-year-old cantered to success to continue trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden's fine November form and he could now bid to emulate the great Denman next month, who was Nicholls' last winner of the Grade 1 contest.

Paul Nicholls is excited about what Bravemansgame can achieve, especially over fencesCredit: Mark Cranham

"He's a proper horse and he'll go down the Denman route," the winning trainer said. "He was a bit green run on his first but he took a long while to pull up, which is always a good sign, then he hacked up last time.

"He's biding time over hurdles really. He looks tailor-made for fences and what a chaser he'll be in a year's time."

Betfair installed Bravemansgame as a 25-1 shot for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the festival, while he is a 33-1 chance for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle with that firm.

Flinteur Sacre well beaten as stylish My Drogo earns 20-1 Supreme quote

Sprinter Sacre's brother and leading Supreme fancy Flinteur Sacre disappointed on his hurdling debut, finishing only fourth behind promising winner My Drogo.

In a maiden hurdle won by Buveur D'Air and Lostintranslation in recent years, the Dan Skelton-trained runner rallied late to deny 200-1 shot Saggazza and earn Supreme quotes as short as 20-1 with Betfred and BetVictor.

My Drogo (grey) begins his winning runCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Flinteur Sacre drifted to 20-1 (from 10-1) for the first race at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival after his defeat at odds of 2-5.

Skelton said: "I was expecting plenty after his good run at Cheltenham. I know he went off 50-1 in a bumper but that didn't reflect what we thought might happen that day.

"At home he's always been very precocious and Polly Gundry had him and did a lot of jumping – she prepared him beautifully for us.

"He jumps at home so good so I was a bit surprised he was so novicey, it just shows you what a big engine he's got that he managed to overcome a lot of that and put his foot down after the last."

Belle gets elusive victory for Waley-Cohen

Nicky Henderson's disappointment with Flinteur Sacre was short-lived following Elusive Belle's stylish victory in the 2m½f novice handicap chase.

The useful hurdler was well beaten in a Listed race on her chase debut but she took a step forward in this contest and bounded clear for an impressive success under Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who notched his first winner of the season in the process.

Elusive Belle (orange cap) soars over fence on her way to victory under Sam Waley-CohenCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"That was thrilling. She jumped really well and when you're going that pace it's a lot different to riding in a point-to-point," a beaming Waley-Cohen said. "She kept answering my demands and she really enjoyed herself.

"I haven't ridden many two-milers and to ride good types like that at this type of track is about as much fun as you can have."

Read previews ahead of Friday's action

One key runner from each of the four ITV races from Newbury this Friday

That Friday feeling: Paisley Park is back - and soon racegoers will be too

2.25 Newbury: Oldgrangewood out for hat-trick in chasing feature for the Skeltons

3.00 Newbury: Keith Melrose on a competitive Long Distance where potential is the watchword

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