MAI THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
Bristol can land the Betfair Chase again
BRISTOL DE MAI has everything in his favour to make it a recordequalling fourth victory in today’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Having won five of his six starts at the Merseyside track, BRISTOL DE MAI (3.00, nap) attempts to match Kauto Star’s record four victories in today’s event.
At 10, the popular grey is the joint-oldest in today’s Grade One, along with Waiting Patiently, but he has huge plus in his favour in that he wins first time out.
The obvious danger A Plus Tard, a gallant runner-up behind Minella Indo in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, has failed to score first time out in the last three seasons.
Paul Nicholls, the trainer of Kauto Star, is making the right noises about Next Destination but on form he is held by Imperial Aura. Both horses fall well below Bristol De Mai’s achievements as do the remainder of the field.
Nicholls can earlier celebrate with BRAVEMANSGAME (1.50, ITV) in the Graduation Chase. This former smart hurdler is destined to be an even better prospect over fences.
BRINKLEY (2.25, ITV) is worth another chance after failing to fire at the Cheltenham Festival.
The lightly raced EMPIRE
STEEL (3.35, ITV) gets the nod in the finale.
On his penultimate run, he beat the smart Protektorat, who was an excellent second in last Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup behind Midnight Shadow.
After a spell in the wilderness, DEFI DU SEUIL (2.05, treble ITV) is expected to return to his best at Ascot.
This will be his first outing since wind surgery and the eight-year-old has always been too strong for Lostintranslation.
Connections of GOSHEN (2.40, nb, ITV) can be rewarded after the firm ground ruled out his return at Wincanton last month.
He slammed Song For Someone when they last met at Wincanton.
The progressive BEFORE MIDNIGHT (3.15, ITV) is expected to confirm his superiority over Sky Pirate despite his rival now being 8lb better off.
When the pair clashed last month at Cheltenham, Before Midnight came
home with a ton in hand and looks an
improver.