Paul Nicholls Day 4 Cheltenham Runners: Bravemansgame couldn't be in better shape for Gold Cup bid

Paul Nicholls
17 March 2023
3:00 min read

Can Bravemansgame win the Gold Cup?

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Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls heads into the last day of the Cheltenham Festival with five runners, including the mighty Bravemansgame in the Gold Cup...

Cobden is very confident with Bravemansgame
Stay Away Fay holds an each-way chance
Irish Hill can compete in hot looking contest

Impressive at Newbury

14:50 - Stay Away Fay

An Irish Point-to-Point winner he did very well over the summer and won impressively on his debut over hurdles for us at Newbury in November.

He was then a bit unlucky to be be beaten in a Grade 2 race at Doncaster where he didn't get the run of the race. He is short on experience but has plenty of ability and will keep galloping all day. Hopefully he has a nice each way chance.

No. 17

Stay Away Fay (Ire)

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Age: 6
Weight: 11st 7lbs
OR: -

Bravemansgame can win the Gold Cup

15:30 - Bravemansgame

Bravemansgame 1280 x 830.png

He had one or two issues last year and is twice the horse now, so much bigger and stronger and bounds up our hill gallop three times in the morning.

He had a brilliant first half of the season, winning his second King George in great style and the challenge has been to have him in the same form in the spring which hasn't always been the case.

It helps that he is much more mature now and he looks fabulous at the moment. The key is whether he stays three and quarter miles. Who knows?

I didn't know if Kauto Star would get the trip before he won his first Gold Cup and I'm not sure about Bravemansgame but I suspect he will stay because he was keeping on strongly in the King George.

I don't think I've ever had him in better shape and Harry Cobden is very confident.

Cat Tiger has potential to bound clear

16:10 - Cat Tiger

He has only had the one run this season in November and with his owner rider David Maxwell on the injured list Charlie Sprake takes over in the saddle.

Cat Tiger always goes well fresh and ran a cracking race with David Maxwell when they were a close second to Latenightpass in the Aintree Foxhunter last April. I wouldn't be surprised if he runs tidily.

No. 5

Cat Tiger (Fr)

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Mr Charlie Sprake
Age: 9
Weight: 12st 0lbs
OR: -

Ground a huge factor

16:10 - Secret Investor

He was a decent handicapper in his day before spending a long time out of action with an injury. He is not so good now and it was a bit of a rush to get him qualified in time with two victories in seven days.

Secret Investor stays well and will get a good ride from Natalie Parker but wouldn't want the ground to be too soft. He has an outside chance.

No. 20

Secret Investor

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Miss Natalie Parker
Age: 11
Weight: 12st 0lbs
OR: -

Irish Hill looking for a fourth straight win

17:30 - Irish Hill

He is on a roll having won his last three races and the plan was to go for the Coral Cup on Wednesday and it was frustrating that he didn't quite get in despite being first reserve.

He was raised 6lbs for his latest success at Ascot, which is fair enough, is progressive, remains in good shape at home and will be ridden by our good claimer Angus Cheleda. I'd say Irish Hill has an each way chance in a hot looking contest.

No. 14

Irish Hill (Ger)

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Angus Cheleda
Age: 5
Weight: 11st 1lbs
OR: 134

Sole runner over at Fakenham

15:45 - Rare Middleton

A useful recruit from the flat, he is still lightly raced and made a pleasing winning debut for us over hurdles at a Taunton before finishing third last month in the Dovecote at Kempton where he lost ground and was hampered by a faller at the third last.

But for that he would have finished a shade closer. He has been fine since then and has obvious claims in his first handicap off a opening mark 119.

Best chance. Bravemansgame. 15.30 Cheltenham.This has been the target since the King George and he couldn't be in better shape.

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