Bristol De Mai overpriced for big King George clash reckons bullish Bromley

Bristol De Mai is being underestimated by bookmakers for his next step towards jumping's £1 million Triple Crown in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That is the opinion of Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the grey's owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, about the 8-1 that leaves him disputing third favouritism behind Might Bite and Thistlecrack and alongside Sizing John, Fox Norton and Douvan.

"I think he goes there with every chance – he's only six, getting stronger and on the upgrade. 8-1 might be made to look big odds," he said.

"If it was three and a half miles round Kempton it might be easier for him but I hope – and don't think – he's ground dependent as he has run good races on better ground."

Addressing the fact that Bristol De Mai also looked out of this world at Haydock last season before his form tailed off, Bromley added: "He underperformed at Newbury but injured a fetlock and it was touch and go whether he got to the Gold Cup."

Sizing John: forced to miss the Betfair Chase due to the groundCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Even though he was beaten 20 lengths by Sizing John at Cheltenham Bromley said: "He nearly fell at the last and could've been beaten ten lengths if he had pinged the fence. That was after a rushed preparation. This season has been different."

Bristol De Mai is 50-1 with BetVictor and 40-1 with Paddy Power to follow the lead of Kauto Star and win the £1m bonus put up this year by Jockey Club Racecourses.

Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Bristol De Mai bolted up under Daryl Jacob in the Grade 1, pulling an astonishing 57 lengths away from the popular Cue Card.

Reflecting on the Betfair Chase, Munir said: "The trainers of the other horses must've thought conditions would've suited their horses otherwise they wouldn't run, like Sizing John.

"Speaking to Daryl after the race, he was in a state of shock. He actually thought all the others had fallen and he tried to get a breather into Bristol and couldn't hear anything.

"He's a flamboyant jumper and relishes the task. Whether it's a question of the soft and heavy ground inconveniencing other horses more than him or whether he prefers the soft, I don't know. Either way he has an engine because winning a Grade 1 by 57 lengths is no mean feat in any conditions."

Further joy for the owners

Munir and Souede enjoyed a sparkling Saturday with Top Notch landing the 1965 Chase, a Grade 2 race at Ascot for Nicky Henderson.

He is also quoted in the King George betting – a top-priced 25-1 with William Hill – but will miss the engagement unless Bristol De Mai is absent.

"I think that was a career-best, a fantastic race," added Munir, who was speaking on Racing UK's Luck On Sunday. "I think we'll probably only run Bristol because it would be rather painful if you had the good fortune of having a one-two, but it was in the wrong order."

King George entries

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