Bravemansgame performance 'suggests we are looking at something quite special'

A big Saturday of action in Britain, with Newbury's Super Saturday meeting and Kingmaker day at Warwick providing pointers to next month's Cheltenham Festival. Find out the key details, market moves and reaction from Saturday's big races below.

1.15 Newbury

Betfair Cheltenham Roarcast Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, 2m7½f

What happened?

Bravemansgame cemented his claims for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival when successfully giving weight away to his four rivals. Victory ended a torrid run of form for Paul Nicholls, who was saddling a runner at the racecourse for the first time in six days after watching his string run below form. Bravemansgame was certainly tested in handicap company but despite giving 16lb to runner-up Pats Fancy, he was comfortably on top at the end and heads to Cheltenham as one of Britain's leading hopes for the week.

The winning time

5m 51.22s - slow by just 3.22s compared to RP Standard time, confirming the impression that it was a truly run race on good to soft ground. Bravemansgame should certainly benefit from the run.

What connections said

Harry Cobden, rider of Bravemansgame: "I learned plenty from that. He enjoyed bowling along but he's better coming from behind. He's jumped beautifully and it was a perfect little prep run. He was nowhere near being properly wound-up by the boss and he's on track for Cheltenham."

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Bravemansgame: "I left plenty to work on. I didn't want to come here really fit and leave nothing to work on. I'm pleased with what he's done and that's a super job. We're going into Cheltenham in good shape now and I'm thrilled with that."

Ante-post market moves

Paddy Power shortened Bravemansgame to 11-4 (from 3) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. Galopin Des Champs heads the market at 8-11 with the same firm.

What do our experts reckon?

I had my doubts over whether Bravemansgame would be up to giving 16lb to two improving novices in Pats Fancy and Grumpy Charley in a handicap off a mark of 159 but this was an exceptional performance. His official rating will likely rise to a mark in the mid-160s and to put the performance into perspective Monkfish, last season's top three-mile novice chaser, ended the season rated 163. That Bravemansgame will probably be rated higher than Monkfish at this stage in the season, when Nicholls left something to work on before the spring festivals, suggests we are looking at something quite special.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

2.05 Warwick

Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m

What happened?

Edwardstone secured his status as Britain's leading two-mile novice chaser with a convincing victory in the Kingmaker. Facing two classy rivals in Third Time Lucki and Brave Seasca, Edwardstone was given a positive ride by Tom Cannon, leading into the straight and putting his rivals to the sword with some accurate jumping over the final run of fences. The 10-11 winning favourite now heads to the Sporting Life Arkle at Cheltenham next month.

The winning time

3m 58.30s - slow by 4.30s compared to RP Standard time. The going was good to soft and it appeared an honest pace throughout, which the time backs up.

What connections said

Tom Cannon, rider of Edwardstone: "He was very good today and loved that ground, it was as quick as he's been on for a while. His jumping was electric and he saw it out nicely. He’s a fantastic horse and every time I ride him I just go out there and enjoy it. It will be no different at Cheltenham and hopefully we all get there in one piece. He’s a very good jumper - he’s learnt as he’s gone along and he’s really come together now."

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Edwardstone to 9-4 (from 3-1) for the Arkle and he now just about shades favouritism for that race over Blue Lord

What do our experts reckon?

Visually this was a faultless display from Edwardstone and he is now a worthy favourite for the Arkle, establishing himself as Britain's best two-mile novice chaser by daylight. The Third Time Lucki camp had genuine hopes of reversing Henry VIII form with Edwardstone under hold-up tactics but however events pan out, it is difficult to see the Dan Skelton-trained novice ever managing to beat the winner. Perhaps a tilt at the Grand Annual will instead be under consideration for the second in order to avoid Edwardstone at the Cheltenham Festival. He need only fear the Irish novices in March.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

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2.35 Newbury

Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2), 2m7½f

What happened?

Eldorado Allen sprang a bit of a surprise in the Denman, relishing the step up in trip to beat high-class duo Clan Des Obeaux and Royal Pagaille. All five runners were in with a shout heading into the home straight, but Eldorado Allen's accurate jumping meant he was always on the front foot. Royale Pagaille was far from disgraced in second but Clan Des Obeaux finished a well-beaten third. Imperial Aura was pulled up quickly before three out.

The winning time

5m 50.90s - slow by just 2.90s compared to RP Standard time. Eldorado Allen made it a good test from the off. He was able to maintain his gallop and the pace never appeared to drop.

What connections said

Brendan Powell, rider of Eldorado Allen: "We thought we’d try him over a bit further. He’s quite a strong traveller and I thought I would ride him as if he does stay. Between the second-last and last, I thought I might be a sitting duck if his stamina runs out, but he’s a lovely horse."

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Eldorardo Allen: “It was a good brave ride by Brendan again. We were pretty convinced he would be a three-miler, whether he is a three-mile two, that’s something else. He’s a lovely horse, in-form and had a great ride. I am sure we will talk about that in a week or two. The Gold Cup is the Gold Cup and we’ll see."

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Eldorado Allen to 16-1 (from 33) for the Ryanair Chase, while Paddy Power go 14-1 (from 25).

What do our experts reckon?

Bravemansgame's outstanding display earlier on the card pointed towards a resurgence in the form of the Paul Nicholls stable but Clan Des Obeaux's below-par run continues to raise doubts over the well being of his string. Conditions were in his favour but he simply wasn't able to lay up with Eldorado Allen and Royale Pagaille. Eldorado Allen saw out the 2m7½f well enough but would make more appeal in the Ryanair than the Gold Cup. I'm not convinced his stamina would last out over the extra three furlongs at Cheltenham. Dour stayer Royale Pagaille would be a player in a testing-ground Gold Cup. He handles good to soft but needs others around him to slow down over long distances.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

3.35 Newbury

Betfair Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3), 2m½f

What happened?

Glory And Fortune caused a big shock in the big betting race of the day to land the Betfair Handicap Hurdle as a 20-1 shot. Unusually for a competitive handicap hurdle, the pace didn't appear that strong to start with but it did build in the home straight. Glory And Fortune was always well placed, hit the front over the second-last and stayed on in determined style to hold off I Like To Move It by a short-head.

The winning time

3m 49.40s - slow by 2.40s compared to RP Standard time, so despite what looked quite a steady early gallop, they appear to have finished the race strongly.

What connections said

Stan Sheppard, rider of Glory And Fortune: “It’s the best feeling ever. I’ll be honest, I was looking through the race and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why he was the price he was. Soaring Glory was 6-1 and we beat him at the Christmas Hurdle and got weight off him today. It’s just brilliant. I was pretty confident beforehand, I am glad I got this one right."

Tom Lacey, trainer of Glory And Fortune: "He’s got over those wind issues and is growing in confidence. He’s improved and I just think we have actually learned a lot about the horse ourselves and he’s improved as a result of that. He’ll be there for the Champion Hurdle and we’re looking forward to that."

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Glory And Fortune to 40-1 (from 100-1) for the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March.

What do our experts reckon?

Glory And Fortune's second to Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle last time looked an anomaly but he proved that effort was no fluke. My gut feeling is this was an improvement from the Kempton run and he's probably not a million miles off placing in a weak Champion Hurdle now. Glory And Fortune put further distance between himself and reopposing pair Soaring Glory and Tritonic and had enough in the tank to hold off improving novices I Like To Move It and First Street. The Chris Gordon-trained Lord Baddesley was the eyecatcher. The 66-1 shot came from a mile back to claim fourth. Keep an eye on where he runs next.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

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