Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs may renew rivalry at Punchestown Festival

rte.ie:

Paul Nicholls is not ruling out another run this season for Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame.The eight-year-old and Willie Mullins' Galopin Des Champs produced a fantastic renewal of the race at Cheltenham on Friday, with the latter horse eventually prevailing by seven lengths after a fantastic battle from the last fence.There are a limited number of options for horses in the division to compete at the latter end of the season, with the Bowl at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup the two most suitable races.Nicholls is considering both, though stablemate Clan Des Obeaux is pencilled in for the former and the latter could mean a rematch with Galopin Des Champs on home turf.The trainer told Racing TV: "It was an amazing race.

The Irish Gold Cup winner, the best staying chaser in Ireland, and the King George winner, the best staying chaser in England, jumped the last together.

What a race."They went an end-to-end gallop. I've been involved in some good Gold Cups but I'd say that's as good as any, if not one of the best Gold Cups you'll ever see."Regarding Bravemansgame's ability to stay over the three-and-a-quarter-mile trip, the trainer added: "If you took the winner out, no one would even question if he stayed.

He'd have won by seven lengths, heavy on the bridle. He got into a real battle from the back of the last."I know lot of horses find that tough, that final furlong, it doesn't mean they don't stay.