2023 Gold Cup

[Kautostar]

I would save your money. Paul Nicholls has recently spoken about his doubts about Bravemansgame staying an extended 3m. He suggested his best trip was 2m4f and he would stay 3m on a flat track such as Kempton. I would be very surprised if he turned up in The Gold Cup.

A lot will depend on kempton if he wins there then his chances of running increases. If you like him you might be better backing him for the KG or a win kg/gc double that some bookies will do nearer the time.

[callhimgamblor]

I would save your money. Paul Nicholls has recently spoken about his doubts about Bravemansgame staying an extended 3m. He suggested his best trip was 2m4f and he would stay 3m on a flat track such as Kempton. I would be very surprised if he turned up in The Gold Cup.

Got a link anywhere for the Nicholls piece please?

[MTR]

I like Bravemansgame for this. Half way through last season he was being pointed at the King George at Christmas and the GC 2023. I've not heard anything wrong and he is pure class so I'm going in now while his price is massive.

I’d personally avoid any Paul Nichols horse for Cheltenham, he’s become an aintree merchant and get the feeling he’s very bitter about Cheltenham, most likely because the tide has turned and the Irish mop up.

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Got a link anywhere for the Nicholls piece please?

I think it was on here:

https://youtu.be/baXl56CXbUY

Let's Talk Racing series.

[opatcho]

I’d have Bravesmangame down as a “lesser” Silviniaco Conti and even less Clan Des Obeaux

I think he has shot to win a big Grade 1, and that’s the King George. Course will suit. Jumps so well there and has the frame for that sharp course. He’s a horse that excels there whilst many find it difficult to run well at Kempton. He can take advantage here

I fall to see BMG being a gold cup horse, personally I don’t like his profile and don’t think he has the grit to gruelling win a race like that

Added, as mentioned, Nichols wants winners and if that means saving his horses for more winnable races then he’ll do that

[Ice]

I’d have Bravesmangame down as a “lesser” Silviniaco Conti and even less Clan Des Obeaux

I think he has shot to win a big Grade 1, and that’s the King George. Course will suit. Jumps so well there and has the frame for that sharp course. He’s a horse that excels there whilst many find it difficult to run well at Kempton. He can take advantage here

I fall to see BMG being a gold cup horse, personally I don’t like his profile and don’t think he has the grit to gruelling win a race like that

Added, as mentioned, Nichols wants winners and if that means saving his horses for more winnable races then he’ll do that

Same here, i can't have him anywhere near winning a gold cup, i personally don't see him winning a king george either, unless it's a weak race.

[opatcho]

Same here, i can't have him anywhere near winning a gold cup, i personally don't see him winning a king george either, unless it's a weak race.

Agree, I have a feeling he’ll be caught out this season - it would have to be a weak KG for him to win. A race which ticks all his boxes, and Nichols will have him 110%.

[Istabraq]

I’d have Bravesmangame down as a “lesser” Silviniaco Conti and even less Clan Des Obeaux

I think he has shot to win a big Grade 1, and that’s the King George. Course will suit. Jumps so well there and has the frame for that sharp course. He’s a horse that excels there whilst many find it difficult to run well at Kempton. He can take advantage here

I fall to see BMG being a gold cup horse, personally I don’t like his profile and don’t think he has the grit to gruelling win a race like that

Added, as mentioned, Nichols wants winners and if that means saving his horses for more winnable races then he’ll do that

For me he wouldn’t finish in the top 3 UK horses in a Gold Cup, which is probably good enough for about 8th…

[FinalFurlong91]

Same here, i can't have him anywhere near winning a gold cup, i personally don't see him winning a king george either, unless it's a weak race.

It's looking very likely it'll be a weak race

[opatcho]

You'd expect Mullins to send one over, given he was able to win with Tornado Flyer which just goes to show how weak the race can be sometimes

However, I dont expect to see GDC run there, and questionable whether he'll send Allaho tbh. Personally, I think he'll campaign Allaho the same as last year finishing off with the 3miler at punch

... I do see him sending one of his second tiers over

[Zachx02]

You'd expect Mullins to send one over, given he was able to win with Tornado Flyer which just goes to show how weak the race can be sometimes

However, I dont expect to see GDC run there, and questionable whether he'll send Allaho tbh. Personally, I think he'll campaign Allaho the same as last year finishing off with the 3miler at punch

... I do see him sending one of his second tiers over

Asterion Forlonge to get his revenge

[charlie]

I’d personally avoid any Paul Nichols horse for Cheltenham, he’s become an aintree merchant and get the feeling he’s very bitter about Cheltenham, most likely because the tide has turned and the Irish mop up.

Absolutely, he's borderline anti Cheltenham in some of the things that he says. 'Wait for Aintree' is his go to Cheltenham ante post preview circuit phrase and it's just something we have to learn to accept as ante post punters. Paul actually had fewer runners than Willie had winners in 2022 so he's one to avoid completely unless a Cheltenham target is named specifically and the horse is really really good.

[Lobos]

Asterion Forlonge to get his revenge

Any reason why Tornado Flyer can't win again??

[FinalFurlong91]

Any reason why Tornado Flyer can't win again??

Because his win was a complete fluke?

Its the only win hes had since December 2019

[Lobos]

Because his win was a complete fluke?

Its the only win hes had since December 2019

Might just be that Kempton suits him perfectly. Dangerous to ignore him but can see why people might.