Bravemansgame set for Punchestown as Paul Nicholls declares 'we're going' amid court order fiasco

BRAVEMANSGAME and Galopin Des Champs are once again on a collision course after Paul Nicholls declared Punchestown as his target.

The Gold Cup second was unable to run at Aintree after a last-minute court order and all eyes are now on the Ladbrokes Gold Cup on Wednesday for his belated return.

Winner of the King George earlier this season, Bravemansgame jumped the last neck-and-neck with Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup.

He was unable to go with the eventual winner thereafter, but a drop back to 3m will suit a horse who jumps and travels for fun.

More of an emphasis on speed could bring him close to Ireland's top chaser Galopin Des Champs and Nicholls is itching to unleash him - so long as he's not told otherwise.

Nicholls told Betfair: "Punchestown is still the plan, we want to go. He's fit and worked great yesterday, he's ready.

"As far as Bryan Drew [owner] and I are concerned, unless we're told otherwise, he's going."

Bravemansgame was one of the favourites for the Aintree Bowl earlier this month but was unable to take part due to an ownership issue.

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The horse was switched to the sole care of Bryan Drew with former fellow owner John Dance under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

But the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the last minute ruled otherwise after receiving further information from the FCA in light of a court order.

A BHA statement at the time read: "In light of new information, including a court order, provided to the BHA on Wednesday 12 April by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Bravemansgame is no longer able to take part in the race and has been withdrawn."

Galopin Des Champs also skipped Aintree and will come into the race fresh like his nemesis Bravemansgame.

Willie Mullins has won five of the last ten runnings, including three of the last four.

Nicholls broke that sequence two years ago with Clan Des Obeaux, who defeated the Mullins-trained favourite Al Boum Photo.