It was frustrating to see Bravemansgame narrowly beaten by Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday but there were plenty of positives to be taken from his first start of the season.
He was giving 6lbs to the winner who had the benefit of a recent race and travelled and jumped beautifully before a mistake at the last fence put him in the back foot. I’m thrilled with Bravemansgame. It was a proper first run until he just got a bit tired on testing ground after the last fence. He just needed a little blow and if it had been good ground like last year I feel he would have held on.
One thing’s for sure, the race will have done him a power of good and he will improve massively for it.
As for his next race nothing is set in stone with the Betfair Chase at Haydock in three weeks time a possibility before he heads to Kempton for the King George V1 Chase on Boxing Day.
I’m not ruling anything in or out at this stage and will see how he is over the next couple of weeks before making a decision.
I was very pleased with the display of Red Risk who probably put up a career best by finishing a close second in the bet365 Hurdle. He continues to progress.
Cap Du Mathan ran very well at Ascot where Quel Destin needed the run while Rare Middleton wants better ground and a flat track.
Earlier in the week I was impressed with the manner of Captain Bellamy’s victory on his debut for us in a bumper at Chepstow. He is smart, was always in control and readily pulled clear in the closing stages despite drifting left handed.
We ended the weekend on an upbeat note with the triumph of Mofasa at Huntingdon on Sunday on his second start for us. Hopefully there is more to come.
Soft or heavy going at just about every racecourse at the moment is far from ideal. It’s unprecedented at this time of year and traditionally doesn’t suit a number of our horses. But we can’t wrap them all up in cotton wool and I’m doing my best to cover all options.
We will have plenty of runners at the end of the week with Stay Away Fay likely to make his debut over fences on Friday at Exeter where Solo is on course for the Haldon Gold Cup.
The following day Knappers Hill is an intended runner in the Rising Stars Chase at Wincanton where Rubaud runs in the Elite Hurdle.
Frodon and Threeunderthrufive will have entries in the Badger Ales Chase and they could be joined by Complete Unknown if we get more rain.
For the latest news on all my weekend runners please do check out my Betfair column which goes live early on Friday afternoon.
