The gelding runs in the colours of Brassil's leading patrons, Sean & Bernardine Mulryan of the Ballymore Group, and is likely to take a pop at the Champion Bumper in the Cotswolds.

Brassil no stranger to success

Martin Brassil has been amongst the Irish training ranks for more than three decades and has enjoyed his share of major moments and successes since he sent out the Anthony Powell-ridden Nordic Thorn at Killarney in May 1994 for his first winner.

Brassil landed one of the sport's crown jewels when Numbersixvalverde took the Aintree Grand National in 2006 and Nickname became a star performer for him soon after.

Brassil landed his first Cheltenham Festival success when the Mark Walsh-ridden City Island won the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle in 2019, carrying the silks of the Mulryan's in the race they were then sponsors of.

Fastorslow came along next and would give the same owner-trainer team major successes in the Punchestown Gold Cup (2023 and 2024) as well as the 2023 John Durkan Memorial Chase as he created quite the rivalry with Galopin Des Champs.

At Cheltenham, Fastorslow was second in the Ultima in 2023 and unseated rider JJ Slevin a year later in the Gold Cup when still holding a leading chance.

It's Only A Game starts well

Brassil's team remains small but select, with approximately 25 horses in his string. Amongst the newcomers this season is It's Only A Game in the dark blue and yellow silks of the Mulryan operation.

He was second in a 20-runner bumper at Punchestown Festival in May 2025 on his first run, behind Emmet Mullins' Vitorio Piel with Ladbroke Grove third in the same Mulryan silks.

Some 204 days went by before It's Only A Game was spotted again, this time in a first-time tongue-tie back at the Kildare venue where he scored under John Gleeson, beating easy next-time-out winner Boycetown into second spot.

DRF option comes next

That was in November and connections opted to head to the Dublin Racing Festival next for the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast I.N.H. Flat Race for colts and geldings.

Gordon Elliott ultimately dominated that race, saddling a one-two-three with Broadway Ted, With Nolimit and Charismatic Kid, but It's Only A Game was clear of the rest in fourth spot under Gleeson, having made up some late ground after tracking around in rear.

That run could almost certainly be marked up, as the field went a muddling sort of pace on testing ground and It's Only A Game would have been better suited to a more severe test of stamina.

On that basis, connections may still feel Cheltenham next month is a worthwhile endeavour, especially with the form of his previous win at Punchestown having worked out well.

Symbols Explained

ts² Tongue Strap vs² Visor hd² Hood es² Eye Shield ec² Eye Cover cp² Cheekpiece bl² Blinkers tt² Tongue Tie bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run srMentioned in Stewards Report in Results bbvBroke Blood Vessel

The superscript number on headgear bl² indicates number of times worn. A plus bl⁺ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl¹indicates first time.