BRAVEMANSGAME won a thrilling King George after big rival L’Homme Presse crashed out at the last in a Christmas cracker at Kempton.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls – dubbed the ‘King of Christmas on ITV – celebrated a record 13th win and now sets sights on the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Harry Cobden celebrates after winning the King George on Bravemansgame
Charlie Deutsch is totally gutted after being unseated from L’Homme Presse
Bookies slashed Bravemansgame to around 7-1 for the Festival feature.
Bravemansgame thrashed 12-1 runner-up Royale Pagaille by 14 lengths with Sun Racing columnist Bryony Frost a gallant third on 18-1 Frodon.
L’Homme Presse looked booked for the second spot until dramatically unseating Charlie Deutsch at the last.
But it’s John Dance, a DJ and one of the owners of Bravemansgame, who could be showing some serious moves of his own come March.
Nicholls, who recently spoke of becoming a dad at 60, said after the race: “He stayed on really strongly. He’s a very good horse when he’s right.
“Frodon is 10 going on 11 and he ran a cracker too.
“You’ve always got to look forward and not back.
“Bravemansgame will go straight to the Gold Cup now – I just hope it’s slightly better ground.
“You’ve got to go and give it a go, if it’s nice ground I’m very happy to run him.
“He’s mature enough to get the trip at Cheltenham, we’ve got to give it our best shot.”
More to follow.
