AS was the case when the pair met in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton last season, it was the slicker jumping of Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) which gave him a significant edge over old rival Ahoy Senor, and the latter’s mid-race crisis of confidence ruined all chance he had in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall at Wetherby last Saturday.

Bravemansgame was typically accurate at his fences, and although Ahoy Senor flew a couple of the early obstacles, he struggled to correct himself when unable to see a long stride, and failed to figure in the finish, with the 2/1 winner followed home by Eldorado Allen (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell), three and a half lengths adrift of the winner, and half a length clear of the gallant Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball/Aidan Coleman), who was the only one to throw down a challenge to the winner in the straight.