Twiston-Davies grabs the 33-1 about 'overlooked' Gold Cup horse Bristol De Mai

Nigel Twiston-Davies is convinced bookmakers are underestimating Bristol De Mai and has backed last year's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup third to hit the frame again at 33-1.

The grey chased home Santini in the Cotswold Chase at the weekend but was passed over by ante-post punters while his conqueror was shortened into 13-2 (from 8) by most firms after his three-and-a-half length success in receipt of 2lb.

Bristol De Mai was in the firing line throughout before stumbling after the third-last but stuck on well up the hill for a gallant second.

Read Sam Walker's RPR reaction to Santini's win in Members' Club

The two-time Betfair Chase winner will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival in March where his trainer believes he has been overlooked.

Twiston-Davies said: "I think Bristol De Mai ran a blinder under a penalty at the weekend especially when you consider he tripped on landing after the third-last and was then playing catch up. To finish where he did was a great effort but others seem quick to dismiss him. Whatever they say, I'm happy with my 33s that I've taken about him."

He added of the nine-year-old's chances in the Gold Cup: "He was entitled to need the run as he'd had a 63-day break since Haydock and that will have put him on track for another crack at the Gold Cup.

"He was the best of the British last year and looks as good as he was then so why is he 33-1 and Santini 6-1 or thereabouts? It doesn't make any sense to me."

Twiston-Davies confirmed that Ballyandy, a narrow winner of the Grade 2 The New One Hurdle at Haydock, will head straight to the Unibet Champion Hurdle for which he is a 20-1 chance.

Ballyandy: Cheltenham Hurdle-bound after his Haydock successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Similar odds are available for stablemate Al Dancer in the Racing Post Arkle and Saturday's Doncaster second is also heading straight to Cheltenham.

The Naunton trainer also had news of Ryanair Chase hope Riders Onthe Storm, who is unbeaten in two starts over fences since joining the yard last year. He added: "Riders Onthe Storm likes Ascot and will head back there for the Ascot Chase on February 15."

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