MAI DAY
Bristol can hit back of net in Cotswold cracker
BRISTOL DE MAI can bounce back to his best to land the Betbright Trial Cotswold Chase (2.25, ITV4) at Cheltenham today.
The grey’s reputation acquired an unsightly dent when he trailed in sixth behind Might Bite in the King George at Kempton.
But the seven-year-old was suffering from ulcers on Boxing Day and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies reports Bristol De Mai back at the top of his game for the Cheltenham Gold Cup trial, from which 2015 blue ribbon hero Coneygree is an absentee.
“We’ve treated them now and he didn’t miss a day’s work,” said Twiston-Davies (above). “He’s top class.”
Bristol De Mai certainly looked star quality when galloping his rivals into submission for an astonishing 57-length margin under jockey Daryl Jacob in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.
Although only seventh in last season’s Gold Cup, Bristol De Mai — successful in Wetherby’s Charlie Hall on his reappearance — is an improved horse this winter and he can go to this year’s Festival on the back of a win.
WE’RE swerving the delights of Cheltenham to head north for Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase — today’s longestestablished race.
Won by Gold Cup and Grand National winners down the years, the main stats to find our likely hero are:
Won no more than three chases. Carrying 11st 2lb or less. Aged nine or younger. The class act in the field is reigning French Champion Hurdler L’Ami Serge, but he’s eliminated on the weight trend — which is a good thing as he finds little for pressure and isn’t as good over fences as hurdles.
He could win by half the track or bomb out but, by leaving him out, we have seven contenders remaining.
Warriors Tale, Coologue, Minella On Line and Federici are eliminated on the grounds they have too many miles on the clock over fences in a race where novices usually come to the fore.
Pilgrims Bay can be a weak finisher, while Mustmeetalady, who beat Vibrato Valtat here last month, isn’t the most reliable and can’t be trusted to follow up.
Kim Bailey has an excellent record in this contest and THUMB STONE BLUES comes here fresher than most.
The drying ground will suit and he’s on an ideal mark, so have 2pts win at 12-1 in places.