The immovable object or the irresistible force? Haydock stalwart faces big test

We’ve all heard the begrudging whispers by now. Bristol De Mai, on the verge of emulating Kauto Star and being spoken of in the same terms as one of jump racing’s equine deities? The horror! He’s no Kauto Star.

Of course he’s not – and the game’s all the better for it. To be fair, few would suggest otherwise, but pitching them alongside each other is unavoidable in the context of Bristol De Mai vying for a fourth Betfair Chase success.

Kauto Star is the only horse to have achieved the feat in the Haydock Grade 1’s short history. Indeed, when Bristol De Mai bludgeoned his way to his first by 57 lengths in bottomless ground four years ago, he denied Cue Card that very distinction.