Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat Decs: Fingers crossed for Wetherby with Bravemansgame in fine form

• Paul optimistic Wetherby will go ahead on Saturday

• Bravemansgame good and fresh for return

• Ascot runners will like ground if it rains again

The weather is the main worry for Paul Nicholls this weekend but he hopes to send Bravemansgame to Wetherby for his seasonal reappearance, as he explained to Betfair's Lauren Hayhoe on Friday morning.

Slower ground no problem for Bravemansgame

"Some of the water has gone [from the Wetherby track] but not all of it and I expect they will inspect it later today. I expect Wetherby are hopeful that it will go ahead... Fingers crossed it's on.

"Bravemansgame (Saturday 15:00 at Wetherby) looks great. We are very happy with him. He's been doing exactly the same training as a year ago when he won this race. He's good and fresh. The ground will be a little bit slower than 12 months ago but that won't be a problem. I am very much looking forward to him running."

Ascot runners should relish conditions

The ground is looking better at Ascot where Paul has four entries, including two - Cap Du Mathan and Quell Destin - in the handicap chase at 14:05.

Paul said: "Normally two miles round Ascot would be too sharp for Quell Destin but if they get the rain that's forecast there tomorrow morning it could be end up very testing.

"He is as big as a bull and always takes a run but he will improve for this and he will like the ground.

"Cap Du Mathan is very fit and has been going nicely but he needs to step up here. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he will run well."

Rare Middleton runs in the 15:15 and Paul added:

"He has a nice mark of 117, had wind-op in the summer and actually won a charity flat race at Wincanton last Sunday. He has jumped well in the week.

"He won at Taunton on testing ground last year but I'm not convinced he wants really testing ground. But he's got no weight and is right in the mix."

Read Paul Nicholls on his Saturday runners at Ascot and Wetherby exclusively on Betting.Betfair.

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