Road clear for Bristol De Mai at Haydock

Twiston-Davies will have chaser honed to perfection for Betfair Chase

Sizing John’s absence has seemingly made BRISTOL DE MAI’s task much easier in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Even if the reigning Gold Cup hero had taken his chance on Merseyside, the six-year-old grey would still have had stacks in his favour, but now the road is seemingly clear for Bristol De Mai to carry all before him.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies will have the likeable chaser trained to the minute for this valuable Grade One, not least because he has already had a run this autumn.

That came at Wetherby earlier in the month, when he showed tenacity and class to defeat stablemate Blaklion, to whom he was giving 6lb, by half a length in the Charlie Hall Chase.

Haydock is a happy hunting ground for Bristol De Mai, who produced one of the most accomplished performances of last season when he won the Peter Marsh Chase by 32 lengths.

Just as importantly, though, is the fact he loves running in testing conditions, which was the reason Sizing John has not travelled over from Ireland.

With three-time winner Cue Card possibly up against it in the twilight of his career and Outlander an awfully difficult horse to pin down, everything points towards a convincing Bristol De Mai victory.

At Ascot JOSSES HILL might catch them napping on his return to action, in the Christy 1965 Chase. SELECTIONS:

ASCOT: 12.20 Palmers Hill, 12.55 Remind Me Later, 1.30 Jester Jet, 2.05 Josses Hill, 2.40 Defi Du Seuil, 3.15 Quite By Chance, 3.50 Dr Rhythm.

HAYDOCK: 12.10 Whatmore, 12.40 Royale Knight, 1.15 Cyrus Darius, 1.50 Diamond Fort, 2.25 Le Rocher, 3.00 BRISTOL DE MAI (NAP), 3.35 Robinsfirth.

DOUBLE: Bristol De Mai and Josses Hill.