No plans for change as only four take up bonus mission in Betfair Chase

Haydock refused to be disappointed with the smallest-ever turnout for the Betfair Chase and has "no plans" for changes to attract more runners for its only Grade 1 event.

Bristol De Mai will face just three opponents when he bids to complete a hat-trick of victories in the £200,000 showpiece, one of whom is his Charlie Hall Chase-winning stablemate Ballyoptic.

They are joined by the progressive Lostintranslation and Ryanair Chase winner Frodon in a four-strong field for a race that was first run in 2005.

"The four are all top-quality horses, so we're thrilled with that," said Dickon White, north west regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses.

Betfair Chase card

"It's always going to be one of those races that attract a small field. We'd ideally like a few more runners but all four are top quality and we're really looking forward to the race."

White pointed to the fact that Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo is being aimed elsewhere by Willie Mullins, whose top-notch stablemate Kemboy is currently sidelined as his owners are ineligible to have runners, and said: "There is not a wealth of three-mile chasers out there at the moment.

"We sat down and said, 'What are the horses that are actually missing?' You've got the Willie Mullins horses but there are not lots of others you can say should be running in this race.

"There are opportunities elsewhere, the Irish will be staying in Ireland, but we're delighted Willie Mullins has a runner in the handicap hurdle on the card, which has a maximum field."

Twiston-Davies unfazed by Bristol Haydock rival Lostintranslation

White stressed the Betfair Chase remains a popular race for those with top chasers. "It's one of the responsibilities for the racing directors to talk to trainers and owners and generally we get a good reception," he said.

"The Betfair Chase is not a hard sell at all. They love what we're doing and the investment in prize-money. But it's whether they've got the ammunition and whether they feel the horse is ready to go to Haydock in November when there's a long season ahead."

Saturday's winner would earn a £1 million 'triple crown' payout if he went on to land the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and White said: "Part of the objective of the £1 million bonus is to attract horses.

"We'll review it again but we're not disappointed with the field. We'll see what could be done differently for next year to attract more runners but at this stage there are no plans to change anything."

Lostintranslation: won well on his return at CarlisleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Controversy surrounded last year's Betfair Chase, with Nicky Henderson among those critical of the size and stiffness of the Haydock fences.

But the obstacles were altered afterwards and White said: "I can't imagine that has had any impact at all this year. Mr Henderson had Altior in the race up to the final declaration stage."

The ground is set to be less testing than usual for a race that has been run on soft or heavy ground in six of the last seven years.

It was officially good to soft on Thursday and clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "If it stayed dry it could be good in places on Saturday but we are due a bit of rain tomorrow and Saturday."

Betfair Chase confirmed runners

1. Ballyoptic - Sam Twiston-Davies/Nigel Twiston-Davies
2. Bristol De Mai - Daryl Jacob/Nigel Twiston-Davies
3. Frodon - Bryony Frost/Paul Nicholls
4. Lostintranslation - Robbie Power/Colin Tizzard

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