Can Paul Nicholls secure a third straight Aintree Bowl victory?

Much was made of trainer Paul Nicholls’ level of success or lack thereof in the lead up to this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Deservedly so, as the British trainer hadn’t secured a victory in the two renewals previous, which is why he was under so much pressure at Prestbury Park last month.

While he didn’t particularly light the world on fire at Cheltenham, the Ditcheat-based trainer managed to break his three-year drought with Grade 1 victories in the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Getting that proverbial monkey off his back would’ve been huge for Nicholls, and will give him greater confidence heading into the Grand National Festival at Aintree this month.

Conversely to Cheltenham in recent years, Aintree is a course where Nicholls has experienced solid success. He has reigned supreme in the last two Aintree Bowls with Clan Des Obeaux, who won the 2021 renewal by a dominant 26 lengths, before he pipped Conflated by just a length last year. 

Nicholls will have a good chance of making it a hattrick in 2023, with his thoroughbred Bravemansgame one of the shortest-priced entries with those who partake in horse betting online. At the time of writing, Bravemansgame is paying 3/1 – which is good for third favourite. 

The eight-year-old is certainly more than capable of securing Nicholls with his third Aintree Bowl success on the trot – and with that in mind – read on as we take a look at the gelding’s form and how he has fared in his three starts this season.

Wetherby

After a 204-day break as a result of wind surgery, Bravemansgame returned to action at Wetherby in October for the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase. He entered as the second favourite in the betting lines behind that of Ahoy Senor, who had beaten him in their most recent showdown in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree earlier that year.

It appeared as though the break did Bravemansgame wonders, as the French-bred horse travelled nicely before challenging the leaders four out. He ultimately went into the lead with two fences remaining and romped home to win by three-and-a-half-lengths from Eldorado Allen.

Kempton 

Fresh off an impressive performance at Wetherby, Nicholls entered Bravemansgame into the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton two months later. The John Dance and Bryan Drew-owned thoroughbred picked up where he left off, pushing along easily before storming into the lead just after two out. 

He would then kick into another gear up the straight to win emphatically by 14 lengths from the Venetia Willilams-trained Royal Pagaille. 

Cheltenham

Bravemansgame’s most recent outing came at the Cheltenham Festival’s feature race – the Gold Cup. Although he entered at a relatively short 6/1 shot, this fixture was perceived by fans and pundits alike as Galopin Des Champs’ to lose. That ultimately proved to be the case, as the Willie Mullins-trained horse looked strong en route to a seven-length victory.

That’s not to say that Bravemansgame wasn’t impressive as the second place-getter, with the gelding challenging the Mullins prospect up the straight before weakening over the final 100 yards. If he can put forth a similar performance in the Aintree Bowl as he did in the Gold Cup – he’s in with a real shot.