A CRUNCH decision is set to go right down to the wire as to whether Cheltenham Gold Cup foes Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame are allowed to rematch at next week’s Punchestown Festival, as uncertainty lingers over an ownership-related issue for Paul Nicholls’ star chaser.

Nicholls has made it clear that he is extremely eager to saddle Gold Cup second Bravemansgame in Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, but the King George VI Chase winner was forced to be withdrawn from last week’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl after the British Horseracing Authority received “new information, including a court order, provided by the Financial Conduct Authority” with links to the horse’s ownership.

Bravemansgame is partly-owned by John Dance, whose company WealthTek LLP earlier this month was ordered to cease all regulated activities and placed into special administration after the FCA became aware of “serious regulatory and operational concerns relating to the firm”.

No horses owned by Dance have been entered since the FCA development, and the BHA’s Aintree move has cast doubt over whether the 4/1 second favourite will be permitted to clash again with Galopin Des Champs.

With declarations for the €300,000 Punchestown Gold Cup to be made at 10am on Monday, and Nicholls insisting that Bravemansgame will need to travel to the Kildare track by boat that evening, all parties are hoping for clarity over the weekend on whether the Cheltenham rematch can take place.

It is understood the call will ultimately be made on the British side, rather than with Horse Racing Ireland, as entries for horses trained overseas must first be approved by the turf authority where the horse is based.

On Friday afternoon, a BHA spokesperson told The Irish Field: “Mr Dance, the BHA and the FCA remain in dialogue with a view to achieving clarity regarding Bravemansgame’s possible participation at Punchestown prior to declarations on Monday morning.”

A spokesperson for HRI added: “We have been in touch with the BHA and are awaiting an update in relation to their discussions with the FCA about horses relating to Mr Dance’s ownership before determining their eligibility for Irish races.”

Without Bravemansgame in the day-two highlight, the stage looks set for a victory lap when it comes to outstanding Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, who is no bigger than 2/7 to follow up at Punchestown.

As it stands, there are just six runners entered for the Grade 1 event, including Ryanair Chase scorer Envoi Allen (6/1), early Grand National faller Fury Road (16/1), Ultima Handicap Chase runner-up Fastorslow (25/1) and US Grand National hero Hewick (16/1), who fell at the second last behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Dance previously tasted big-race success in Ireland when Laurens landed the 2018 Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.