Paul Nicholls 2023/2024 Jumps Season Stable Tour: The Chasers

• Paul Nicholls talks us through his leading chasers

• Bravemansgame likely to start in the Betfair Chase

• Threeunderthrufive given Grand National aim

Chasers

Bravemansgame - Betfair Chase likely starting point

It is highly likely he will start this season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which has been a brilliant race for me with horses like Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti and the timing is ideal ahead of the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

He is ticking over and could be ready for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby if the ground was suitable but we are leaning towards Haydock. It is an extremely valuable pot and Bravemansgame has won at the track.

The ground at Wetherby was only just ok for him last year and we don't want to be taking any chances.

To keep our option open we will probably give him an entry, too, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. It would be a tough ask off for him off a mark of 172 but Denman won it off 174.

Solo - I'm training him for the Haldon Gold Cup

He can be a little bit in and out but on his day he is decent, he's good fresh and I'm training him for the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He will then be an ideal for Intermediate races like the Silviniaco Conti Chase. He is not the easiest to place but I'm sure we will find some handy targets for him.

Pic D'Orhy - Charlie Hall Chase the early season aim

I'm keen to step him up in trip and am getting him ready for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby if the ground is suitable. He is bred to stay three miles and is always keeping on at the end of his races. Then we will probably look at the Peterborough Chase. If he does stay three miles it will open up more doors for him.

Stage Star - Ryaniar Chase the big season target

He isn't the easiest to place but is brilliant fresh and goes straight to the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. We will then make a plan with the Ryanair Chase at the Festival a likely target in the spring. I don't rule out a step up to three miles for him at some stage.

Greaneteen - One to watch up in trip this season

He will probably return in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter which he won so well last year. I had him ready to run for his life that day, cherry ripe. That's not the case this time as he is a little bit behind after a wind op when he came back into training. This year I'd expect him to improve for the run at Exeter, then we will probably step him up in trip, maybe in the Chanelle Pharma Chase at Ascot.

Watch Paul in our Racing...Only Bettor jumps season preview

Quite a few are ready to run

Hitman - Ryanair Chase the long term aim

He is a bit hit and miss but has put up a string of smart performances. He ran a blinder when third in the Ryanair Chase then I kicked myself for running him too soon at Aintree. He had a couple of little issues last season but is fine now and is going to start off like last year in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree where he was only beaten a head. The Ryanair is the long term aim.

Frodon - Bidding for a repeat victory in the Badger Ales

This is going to be his last season though he is still so enthusiastic in everything he does. He certainly doesn't behave like a horse a few months short of his twelfth birthday and Kauto Star was still at the top of his game at eleven. The key to them all is keeping them sound and Frodon has never had issues.

There is no reason why he can't run as well as last season. He loves what he is doing and will be bidding for a repeat victory in the Badger Ales Chase off the same mark as twelve months ago. He is good fresh, likes Wincanton, and decent ground will help.

Complete Unknown - He looks an ideal type for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury

He has had a wind op over the summer, loves soft ground and heads to Carlisle for the Colin Parker Chase which should put him spot on for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury as he looks an ideal type for the race. I like to think he is still improving.

Threeunderthrufive - One for the Grand National

He has also had a win op which I hope will help him. He is a strong stayer who could run at Chepstow on Saturday with the Grand National very much the long term target.

Read the rest of Paul Nicholls stable tour HERE