Charlie Hall Chase report | Timeform analysis of Bravemansgame

A fresh look to this year's Charlie Hall, with two of the three standout British staying novices - L'Homme Presse the missing one - of last season locking horns, though Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame are old rivals by now and the underperformance of the dual Aintree Grade 1 winner left the well-tuned Nicholls runner with a test he could pass without any significant improvement, visually impressive though he was.

Bravemansgame has found Ahoy Senor well off the game the twice he's seen him off (overall record now 2-2) but, in giving his yard a second Charlie Hall in three years and fifth overall, put his Aintree flop well behind him having had a breathing operation in the seven months since; back to jumping/travelling with rare exuberance, he edged ahead on the bridle on landing four out and put things beyond doubt approaching the last, a couple of reminders on the flat seeing him maintain rather than extend his lead, which rather puts into focus potential stamina concerns for more demanding examinations in the division such as a Gold Cup, the King George predictably his main focus after this, far more a Cyrname or Silviniaco Conti than a See More Business among his yard's previous winners, not that Allaho's connections need lose too much sleep based on this ahead of a potential Kempton meeting.

Eldorado Allen ran up to his best in adding to his fine record fresh after seven months off, a likeable type showing more stamina with age but, when all said and done, a notch or two shy of the best staying chasers, even confined to Britain; waited with, good progress on inner five out, outpaced next, rallied well from two out, took second flat.

Sam Brown picked up where he'd left off in routing a field of handicappers at Aintree, holding his own hiked in grade, to the extent he threw down the biggest challenge to the winner, though he'd been put in his place by the end; dropped out last, outpaced briefly five out, effort next, upsides briefly three out, left behind by winner last, lost second run-in, rallied; he's never been better but may be better aimed at a Grand National than a Cheltenham Gold Cup, full of stamina as he is.

Paint The Dream saw his fitness edge get him only so far (others all returning), first undone for ability and later stamina; soon led, headed third, led again circuit out, headed again on landing four out, tied up as trip told between last two.

Ahoy Senor found his jumping issues resurfacing - and was rather too lit up as well - returning cold seven months on from his Grade 1 novice win, lunging right or guessing a few times as he led or chased Paint The Dream and, after losing further ground on the home turn, unable to respond from three out, perhaps just not fit enough first time back, either; there's little sign overall he's ever going to be in Bravemansgame's league for technique, though their two meetings at Aintree highlight he's at least his equal for ability, while he'd also endured a low-key reappearance on his chasing debut at a similar stage last year and is starting to look the type who thrives on match practice, all suggesting he'll still make his mark in open company another day, well worth another try on deep ground at the top level, too.

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.