'He was not good enough' - Paul Nicholls gives blunt Bravemansgame verdict after Haydock defeat

The eight-year-old was the 8-11 favourite in the quartet of runners and jumped and travelled well under Daryl Jacob, but was ultimately outdone by Venetia Williams’ six-and-a-half-length winner Royale Pagaille.

Nicholls could not see an obvious reason for the defeat and will adhere to his plan of running in the King George at Kempton to bid to retain the Boxing Day crown he claimed last season.

He said: “He was not good enough on the day, it’s as simple as that.

“He jumped well, travelled well and Daryl said he thought he was going to win going to four out but he didn’t quite pick up. No excuses.

“It’s a different test at Kempton (King George), it probably suits him better there. Daryl gave him a super ride but the other one has just outstayed him from three out really.

“Kempton is his track, it won’t do him any harm to have a few runs.

“I’m not really worried about him having a hard race, he’s got a month really. To be honest with you, you can wrap them up too much in cotton wool, I’ll probably freshen him up more now rather than work him hard.

“I’ve won this race loads of times and then gone to the King George with Kauto (Star) and (Silviniaco) Conti, we’ll get him back there.

“He might want a few races to harden him up a bit. The winner is a real course specialist and we’ve no excuses, Daryl said he just got away from him three out, outstayed him.

“He’s run well and he’ll run well at Kempton.”

Jacob had taken the ride as Harry Cobden had gone to Ascot, where he rode four winners and justified the decision made on riding plans.

The trainer added: “It’s been a great day at Ascot anyway, we got the decision right about the jockey!”

Grand National titleholder Corach Rambler stayed on to claim third place at 18-1 and pleased trainer Lucinda Russell as the run was a big step forward from his well-beaten seasonal debut at Kelso.

She said: “I am delighted with that and he has stayed on really well.

“He has now just given us a dilemma as to what way we go with him. The horse means so much to us and we just want him to do well and be safe.

“He jumped a bit big early but once he got into his stride he was neat and professional. I am just so pleased with him.”

The disappointment of the race was last year’s winner Protektorat, who started at 5-2 but did not jump with his usual fluency and was soon struggling. He finished fourth, another 13 lengths behind Corach Rambler.

The eight-year-old’s trainer Dan Skelton said: “It was just not meant to be today and I am not making any excuses.

“That just wasn’t his running, simple as that. He was hanging in the air a little bit at his jumps, but we will be back and have another go.”

Asked if the King George was possible for Protektorat, Skelton replied: “To be discussed. I don’t want to say where we’re going or not because I want to see how he is tomorrow and make a decision from there.”