Irish raider Gentlemansgame shocks Bravemansgame in Charlie Hall at Wetherby

Irish raider Gentlemansgame produced a shock when he defeated the heavily-fancied Bravemansgame to win the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
By Richard Byram
Published 5th Nov 2023, 19:52 BST
Updated 5th Nov 2023, 23:50 BST
Poised: Gentlemansgame ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, left, on his way to winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.Poised: Gentlemansgame ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, left, on his way to winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.
Poised: Gentlemansgame ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, left, on his way to winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

With the second day of the two-day meeting surviving an early track inspection, a big crowd headed to the West Yorkshire track to see if Paul Nicholls’ 10-11 favourite could complete back-to-back wins in the Grade Two contest.

But like other famous names on the recent roll of honour including Cue Card, Cyrname, Definitly Red, Menorah and Silviniaco Conti, the King George VI winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up failed to do the double.

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Only four horses went to post, with fellow former Gold Cup runner Ahoy Senor (3-1) – who finished last of five 12 months ago – this time failing to finish under Derek Fox.

Prize performance: Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe with his trophy for winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.Prize performance: Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe with his trophy for winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.
Prize performance: Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe with his trophy for winning the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire.

He made the early running before his jumping slowed him and Bravemansgame took it up, with the eventual winner also handily placed under Darragh O’Keeffe – who was making his Wetherby debut.

The Nicholls horse still looked set to land the odds and £57,000 prize at the second last, but with Gentlemansgame (7-2) not going away a mistake at the last cost last year’s winner as the grey took over to claim a one-and-three-quarter length success.

A delighted Morris, enjoying his first win on these shores since Rule the World won the 2016 Grand National, said: “I’m very happy with that, he jumped super. He was a bit fiddly at one or two, but that was to be expected on his third run over fences.

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