Hitman impresses at Haydock with King George next up Paul Nicholls considers Hitman a serious rival to stablemate Bravemansgame in the King George VI Chase following a dominant display at Haydock. The Ditcheat handler has saddled a record 12 previous winners of Kempton's St Stephens Day showpiece and Bravemansgame is as short as even money to add his name to the roll of honour. But Hitman - second on his seasonal reappearance in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson - threw his hat into the ring by completely outclassing his rivals on Merseyside, with Nicholls of the opinion stable jockey Harry Cobden now faces a far from straightforward decision next month. Nicholls had saddled eight of the last 10 winners of the Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase, with Clan Des Obeaux (2017) and Bravemansgame (2021) himself among them. Hitman was the 8-13 favourite following a string of placed efforts and it was impossible to be anything but impressed by the way he fenced fluently at the head of affairs before drawing 11 lengths clear. Paddy Power cut his King George odds to 7-1 from 10-1 in the immediate aftermath. "He was a little bit keen at Aintree and needed the run that day. We let him bowl along in front today and he just gallops and jumps," said Nicholls. "He's a six-year-old rated 160 and we've been patient with him. He's run some really good races for a young horse and he’s becoming the finished article now. "He's got an entry for the King George and I’d say that’s where we’re heading. Harry will have to decide whether he rides Bravemansgame or this fellow and I don’t think there’s much between them. "This horse is massively improving and I also think three miles will bring out more improvement. "He was relentless there - he's a really exciting horse. Wherever Bravemansgame finishes in the King George, he won’t be far away."
