Paul Nicholls will likely pinpoint star novice chaser Bravemansgame towards the Cheltenham Festival following his impressive win in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton over the festive period.
The seven-year-old was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and extended his unbeaten record over fences to three with a second top-level success when dismissing Ahoy Senor with ease on Boxing Day, but Nicholls had initially poured cold water in sending him to the Festival in March.
However, the trainer has had a change of heart and is now set to aim the John Dance and Bryan Drew-owned star at the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and bid to avenge his only defeat at Cheltenham so far when third in last season's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle behind Bob Olinger. You can follow the action via our Sports Live Streaming platform.
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Duo set for rematch
Bravemansgame could be set for a rematch against Ahoy Senor in the race, as well as a possible mouthwatering clash against star Irish novice Galopin Des Champs, who made a flawless chasing debut at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
Nicholls said: "I still need to sit down and have a discussion with the lads but I think that's probably where we'll head off to. It's not in set in stone, he'll be entered in the two races at two and a half [Turners] and three miles [Brown Advisory]. We'll almost likely run over three miles unless it's very, very testing. That's sort of where we're heading."
He added: "It's a hot division as it always is and is always expected to be, but we wouldn't swap him for anything. That's how we see it, but it's a long way off and a lot can happen before then."
