Cheltenham ground tempts Nickname team

Martin Brassil is “very tempted” to let Nickname take his chance in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase – providing the rains continue to pour at Cheltenham.

The County Kildare handler has saddled the eight-year-old to five Graded victories this year but has always stated soft ground is vital if he is to run at the Festival.

Brassil said: “If the weather keeps coming as it is then we’d be very tempted to travel. If he runs, Ruby (Walsh) will ride him.

“This winter the ground has been so heavy that it’s really played into Nickname’s hands.”

Although Nickname has had a relatively busy campaign this season, Brassil does not harbour any fears his schedule is beginning to catch up with him.

“He’s had it very easy and he races on the bridle for most of his races and sometimes I probably work him harder at home,” he told At The Races.

“Certainly the last day he just cantered round and it didn’t take much from him – he was kicking and screaming a couple of days later.”

Of the Champion Chase, for which Nickname is a best-priced 9-2 with Coral, Brassil added: “If he was walking around there now and the ground was as it is, I would be very tempted to have something on him.”