PAUL Nicholls will be hoping his 13th King George VI Chase winner will not prove unlucky, as he prepares Bravemansgame for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, an assignment his Kempton performance merits.

Bryony Frost controlled the formative stages of the race, setting a solid if not spectacular pace aboard Frodon (157) as the 10-year-old raced with his usual verve.

However, heading out for the final circuit, the 2020 winning partnership looked to stretch their field, setting up a stunning final circuit where jumping was at a premium.

The writing was on the wall for all except the leader as early as the first in the back straight as L’Homme Presse and the winner, who was foot perfect at his fences as normal, asserted their authority.

Even when Venetia Williams’ gelding shifted left into his path, Bravemansgame (175) remained unperturbed on the outside as Harry Cobden readied the partnership to launch their winning challenge on the approach to the third last fence.

After assuming the lead on the run to the final fence, the only question left to answer was stamina although, no sooner had Harry Cobden issued two stern reminders to his mount, the pair were a length clear, and the race was sealed before Charlie Deutsch was unseated from L’Homme Presse at the final fence.

Comparison

A straight comparison with the Kauto Star Chase winner hints at the strength of the time figure as the overall race time was 7.8secs quicker, a superiority which Bravemansgame confirmed through the final circuit on route to posting a quicker closing sectional as he covered the ground from the fourth last fence in 70.1secs, compared to the 72.4secs taken by Thyme Hill (145).

Balco Coastal (140+) navigated the same wide course as the King George winner and jumped with same precision as his more illustrious counterpart, winning with any amount in hand.

The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding was also the equal of Bravemansgame through the closing sectional without quite matching his final-circuit time figure.

The gloss on the King George performance is added with a split screen comparison with the novices’ limited handicap chase, as from the first fence jumped together the seven-year-old completed the course ahead of Balco Coastal.

Looking ahead to March, the amount of jumping in the latter stages of the Gold Cup will suit Bravemansgame as his ability to fence accurately under pressure will be prove an invaluable asset.

Along with Protektorat, who beat Frodon by the same distance at Haydock in the Betfair Chase, the home defence against Galopin Des Champs is not insignificant.