Twiston-Davies to walk Haydock course after drying ground causes concern

Nigel Twiston-Davies plans to walk the course at Haydock on Saturday morning to check conditions are suitable for last year's Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai.

The official going description at the Lancashire track changed to good, good to soft in places (from good to soft, good in places on the chase course on Thursday) on Friday morning.

Bristol De Mai, a 57-length winner of the race on heavy ground last season, is a general 7-1 chance to land back-to-back renewals.

Twiston-Davies said: "I see the ground at Haydock has dried out slightly and hopefully a bit of rain will get there.

"If the ground gets any firmer his run would be in doubt but as long as it's the soft side of good, he'll be all right."

Haydock's clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright does not anticipate another going change.

A largely dry outlook is forecast with no more than an occasional light shower.

Tellwright said on Friday morning: "It's been dry overnight so we've changed the going to good, good to soft in places all round.

Betfair Chase card

"It's lovely ground out there and I don't think the going will improve further than that.

"It's a fantastic race with five top quality chasers and we have to be delighted with the line-up."

The Met Office forecast suggests it will be a dry day on Saturday with temperatures predicted to peak at 8C.

The Betfair Chase is not the only race with a high-profile rematch on Saturday as If The Cap Fits and We Have A Dream, second and third in the Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton this month, are among six runners in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot.

Coral Hurdle card

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