Brassil eyeing Punchestown prize

Grand National-winning trainer Martin Brassil is hoping for another big pay-day when Nickname takes his chance in the Grade Two Ellier Developments Novice Chase at Punchestown next Tuesday.

The seven-year-old has some smart form to his name and has pushed established stars Sir Oj and Watson Lake close on his last two starts.

“Nickname is very well and we’re looking forward to running him,” said Brassil. “He’d have to be the horse that everyone figures they have to beat. If he reproduces either of his last two runs it would take a smart novice to beat him.

“I was happy with his last run – people don’t realise he’s a novice. He was second to Watson Lake that day and had Hi Cloy in third. Before that he was second to Sir Oj at Naas over two miles.

“The two miles and five furlongs shouldn’t be a problem, but we’d like to see a drop of rain as it’s on the yielding side of soft and it would have to be at least yielding for him to run.

“It would be great to win at Punchestown. It’s a big thing for anyone – it’s our Cheltenham.”