Nickname needs his ground

/ Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Nickname has been quietly supported for the Queen Mother Champion Chase all season, but it's been revealed that he may only run if the going is soft.

Martin Brassil's gelding easily won his latest Cheltenham preparation race on Sunday at Punchestown under a smooth ride from Ruby Walsh.

Speaking about Sunday's race, Brassil said: "Ruby Walsh said he settled lovely and they went a good gallop.

"He got checked on the final turn, but then he got a grand run up the inner.

"I was very happy with that and he will go for the Newlands Chase at Naas in three weeks' time. He is having it so easy that the races are not taking that much out of him, which is why he is able to run so often."

Having never raced on a surface faster than good to soft, Nickname is trading around 9 for success in the March 14 contest, where a soft surface is not always guaranteed at that time of year.

The market is currently headed by Voy Por Ustedes on 4.3, ahead of Well Chief (6) and the drifting Newmill (8.6).