Bravemansgame set for jockey switch in Betfair Chase at Haydock… with regular rider Harry Cobden needed by trainer Paul Nicholls at Ascot

• Paul Nicholls says it is possible that Bravemansgame will run on Saturday
• Trainer is encouraged by the prospect of the ground at Haydock drying up 
• Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up will be left in at penultimate forfeit stage

Bravemansgame looks like he will need a new jockey if he runs in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday with regular rider Harry Cobden needed by champion trainer Paul Nicholls at Ascot.

Nicholls will leave Bravemansgame in the race at Monday’s penultimate forfeit stage and, with the prospect of the ground at the track drying up, Nicholls says there is a chance he will run.

Nicholls expects last season’s King George VI Chase winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up to strip a lot fitter than when a last-fence mistake cost him victory in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby earlier this month.

Nicholls said: ‘He is 100 per cent. He needed that first run but that was not the target. I think he has come on a lot.

‘I will not run him if it is heavy (ground) but it is a better forecast this week. If could be soft, heavy in places and that would be tempting.’ 

Paul Nicholls says it is possible that Bravemansgame will run at Haydock on Saturday

Nicholls has a clutch of runners at Ascot for Cobden to ride headed by Pic D’Orhy in the 1965 Chase.

The trainer added: ‘If Bravemansgame runs it would give me a jockey headache but it wouldn’t do any harm for the future for someone to get a feel of him in case you ever needed a substitute.’

Nicholls and Cobden followed up Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup win with Stage Star at Cheltenham with further success at the track courtesy of Ginny’s Destiny.

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