Quicker Betfair Chase ground 'no problem' as Bristol De Mai bids to equal Kauto

Daryl Jacob and Nigel Twiston-Davies believe better ground will not hinder the chance of Bristol De Mai when he bids to equal the record of the mighty Kauto Star and win a fourth Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The ten-year-old, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, has twice won the £200,000 contest on heavy ground, but beat the previous season's Gold Cup one-two of Native River and Might Bite on a sound surface in 2018.

Conditions are expected to be good to soft this weekend when Bristol De Mai is set to face an Irish challenge for just the second time in the race. Savills Chase scorer and Gold Cup runner-up A Plus Tard was cut to 11-8 favourite (from 5-2) with the race sponsors on Monday. Chatham Street Lad, a 33-1 shot, is the other Irish entry.

Bristol De Mai was trimmed to 3-1 second favourite (from 7-2) with the same firm after Chantry House, Champ and Lostintranslation – the only horse to beat Bristol De Mai in the race in 2019 – did not figure among Monday's nine confirmations. Next Destination, Royale Pagaille and Waiting Patiently are the others priced in single figures.

Jacob said on Monday: "It's a very competitive race but we think he's in the same form, if not better, than when he went there last year and I'm very much looking forward to it.

"He's won the race on good ground, beating the previous season's Gold Cup one-two Native River and Might Bite, so he goes on a drier surface and it's not a problem to him, but we would prefer it heavier. I'll ride him to what suits him best and he'll run a very big race.

"Last year was special when he won it for the third time and it would be right up there if he were to make it four on Saturday."

Bristol De Mai has won six of his 13 starts over fences on soft or heavy ground, compared to just three of his 16 starts on good or good to soft. However, most of those runs on quicker ground have come in Grade 1 company in the spring and he has still proved capable of top-class form in a variety of conditions, with three Racing Post Ratings of 170 or higher on good or good to soft.

Bristol De Mai: beat Clan Des Obeaux in the race last yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jacob feels the public have a connection with Bristol De Mai, a five-time Grade 1 winner who has been a regular in top-level contests over the past seven years. He won his first Grade 1 on his stable debut in Chepstow's Finale Juvenile Hurdle in 2014, and boasts a 5-6 record at the Merseyside track.

"He's been with me since day one with Simon and Isaac as a three-year-old and he's won a Grade 1 nearly every season," said the rider.

"He's very affectionate and he's a people's horse – a lot of people love him and he has a massive following, so I'm just very lucky to be part of a team that has looked after him so well and get the chance to ride him.

"It's not just Bristol De Mai, it's Sceau Royal – and Top Notch and L'Ami Serge in the past – who have shown great longevity and competed at such a high level. They all showed such enthusiasm when they ran and it's just the way we look after these horses – they're obviously there to race and win but they're very big friends of ours too."

3.00 Haydock Saturday: Betfair Chase racecard and betting

Two Grand National winners and Gold Cup success feature on Twiston-Davies's CV but the Naunton trainer believes a fourth Betfair Chase victory with Bristol De Mai would rank high in his achievements.

Twiston-Davies, who also won the race with Imperial Commander in 2010, said on Monday: "He's in great form, I couldn't be happier with him and he's all primed and ready to go.

"Haydock clearly suits him and he has form on most ground, so hopefully conditions won't be a problem. He likes to be able to boss races and it's a very uncomplicated track. There are two long straights and easy bends, so he can just get out there and do his stuff.

"The race looks as hot as ever, but the one thing he has in his favour is he's easy to get fit – that's the beauty of him – and will they all be as fit as he is? For our sake, hopefully not. It's good for the race and all of us to have Irish challengers in there and let's hope we can beat them.

"It would be great to equal Kauto Star's record and it would be right up there in my career. It would be a proper job. He would be remembered forever – maybe there would be a race named after him!"

The going at Haydock was changed to good to soft, good in places on the hurdle course on Monday morning and remains good to soft on the chase course, with clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright not envisaging much movement on the description.

Betfair Chase confirmations

A Plus Tard
Bristol De Mai
Chatham Street Lad
Clondaw Castle
Imperial Aura
Native River
Next Destination
Royale Pagaille
Waiting Patiently

Betfair Chase

Betfair: 11-8 A Plus Tard, 3 Bristol De Mai, 5 Next Destination, 11-2 Royale Pagaille, 8 Waiting Patiently, 10 Imperial Aura, 16 Native River, 25 Clondaw Castle, 33 Chatham Street Lad

Read more . . .

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