Paul Nicholls rolls the dice with new jockey for Bravemansgame ahead of Betfair Chase
PAUL NICHOLLS will roll the dice with a new jockey for his stable star Bravemansgame in Saturday's Betfair Chase.
Bravemansgame has been partnered by Harry Cobden for all of 18 starts for the champion trainer, including his shock defeat on reappearance in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.
But with Cobden set to ride at Ascot on Saturday, Nicholls has called up the experienced Daryl Jacob to ride Bravemansgame at Haydock.
Nicholls told Betfair: "Bravemansgame schooled this morning nicely. Daryl Jacob rode him, and he runs on Saturday.
"Daryl has got all the experience in the world, he rides out a little bit here, so he got on great with him.
"We've confirmed him this morning, and we're just going to monitor the ground during the week. If it was heavy, he definitely won't run, but I'm encouraged by the weather forecast."
Jacob will be hoping to return Bravemansgame to the form that saw him win last year's King George and finish second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup.
He is no stranger to the big occasion and has ridden 29 Grade 1 winners in his career.
Jacob is the retained rider for the familiar double-green silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who own the likes of Impaire Et Passe and El Fabiolo.
He has ridden three Grade 1 winners for Nicholls already, including Zarkander in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle.
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He also has won the Betfair Chase three times thanks to his partnership with fan-favourite grey Bristol De Mai.
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