King George winner Bravemansgame moved from Paul Nicholls and will continue career in France
BRAVE NEW DAWN King George winner Bravemansgame moved from Paul Nicholls and will continue career in France
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KING GEORGE hero Bravemansgame has been moved to France in a bid to reignite his career over jumps.
The 10-year-old will now be trained by 29-year-old Marine Pineda in Chantilly having spent the last six years with 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
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Bravemansgame won the King George in 2022
Credit: PA
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He spent six years with 14-time champions trainer Paul Nicholls
Credit: PA
His best season came in 2022-23 when he won the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day before running a mighty race in defeat when second to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
In total he won nine races for Nicholls and £726,484 in prize-money for his owner Bryan Drew.
But his form took a dip this season, with his best performance coming in the Betfair Chase when he was third behind Royale Pagaille. His final run for Paul Nicholls came in the Grand National when he finished 15th.
Drew, who is not averse to moving his horses between trainers, felt a change of scenery would do him some good.
After discussions with Nicholls, they felt switching him to France could help him rediscover some spark in the autumn of his career.
Nicholls said: "He has been a great horse for us at Ditcheat and we had some memorable days with him.
"He won three Grade 1s for us, including a Challow Hurdle and a King George, and he ran a blinder in the Gold Cup a couple of years ago.
"He has had some hard races over the years, and Bryan just felt he would have a better chance of winning a race in France at this stage in his career.
"I have no problem at all with the decision, it's worth a try and hopefully he goes over there and has a good time of it."
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