Betfair Chase, Haydock, Merseyside
WHEN Bristol De Mai won his first Betfair Chase in 2017, he beat Cue Card 57 lengths, earning him the highest rating at the time in jump racing. On Saturday, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ grey returned to his favourite track to win the race for a third time.
The nine-year-old has never quite captured the imagination like other multiple Betfair Chase winners, such as Cue Card (also three) and Kauto Star (four), the only horse to have won it more often, probably because Bristol De Mai has never been as effective elsewhere; but he is the ultimate definition of horses for courses.
His last win away from Haydock was at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall over three years ago, when he was warming up for his first Betfair and his record is now five wins from six starts at the track – his only defeat coming to Lostintranslation a year ago.
Every year he turns up for Cheltenham and Aintree, but it never quite happens. It has been said that were the Gold Cup run at Haydock, he might be a multiple winner of that, too, but there may be something about the time of year as well. Although he won the Betfair on decent ground in 2018, he is even better in the mud and there was no shortage of that on Saturday.
His two main rivals, two-time King George winner Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation, wanted better ground and it looked ominous for them when only five of the 12 starters in the handicap chase earlier in the afternoon finished – at long intervals – over the same distance.
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 26, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin November 26, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
