Sunday Mirror

MAI FLOWERS AS BITE JOCK GETS JUMPY

- BY dAVId yATES

BRiSToL DE mAi revelled in his role of underdog to register back-to-back triumphs in Haydock Park’s Betfair Chase.

But Might Bite’s jockey Nico De Boinville blasted the track’s obstacles as “too stiff” and “not fair” after the Evens favourite trailed in a sorry fifth.

The Grade 1 test had been billed as the rematch between Native River and Might Bite, first and second in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

But, just as when he rode Imperial Commander to gatecrash the Kauto Star vs Denman Gold Cup of 2010, Bristol De Mai’s trainer Nigel TwistonDav­ies had other ideas.

Making the running under Daryl Jacob, the seven-year-old grey galloped on defiantly to hold Native River by four lengths, with the runnerup’s returning stablemate Thistlecra­ck third.

“When you’re the underdog, and you go and stuff them, that’s great,” smiled Twiston-Davies. “It reminds me of Imperial Bite’s connection­s were Commander with Kauto not. Star and Denman.” “Obviously that isn’t all

With the first leg of the right,” reflected Nicky £1million Jockey Club Henderson. Chase Triple Crown in But a more forthright safe-keeping, TwistonDav­ies De Boinville protested: (right) will “Those fences were now prepare very upright and Bristol De Mai big. for the second “I don’t think – the King they were fair – George VI too stiff.” Chase on Boxing Haydock’s clerk Day at Kempton of the course Park – in which he ran Kirkland Tellwright did a flat sixth to Might Bite concede that the obstacles last Christmas. would be made “a bit easier

“He’s always brilliant for the rest of the season”. first time out,” added But Tellwright added: Twiston-Davies. “We’ve “They were the making of got to keep him right.” that race – they’ve had to

While Colin Tizzard was go and ride round in a “chuffed” with Native River steeplecha­se, not rip round and Thistlecra­ck, Might in a point-to-point.” NORSE LEGEND is fancied to follow up his comeback success 11 days ago by landing the Smarkets Handicap Hurdle (1.20).

Colin Tizzard’s seven-year-old beat Pahaska by a neck at Exeter, and a 6lb rise in the weights should not stop him.

 ??  ?? FLyInG GREy: Bristol De Mai on the way to Haydock victory under Daryl Jacob
FLyInG GREy: Bristol De Mai on the way to Haydock victory under Daryl Jacob
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