Bristol De Mai to face three in bid for Betfair hat-trick
BRISTOL DE MAI and Lostintranslation are two of just four runners declared for the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Having claimed the first Grade One prize of the British National Hunt season in each of the last two seasons, the Nigel Twiston-Daviestrained Bristol De Mai is a shortpriced favourite to complete the hat-trick on Merseyside tomorrow.
The popular grey is aiming to become the third three-time winner after the great Kauto Star – who claimed four renewals between 2006 and 2011 – and Cue Card (2013, 2015 and 2016).
Cue Card’s former trainer Colin Tizzard this year relies on Lostintranslation. A top-class novice last season, the seven-yearold made a perfect start to his campaign at Carlisle three weeks ago and is widely considered the biggest threat to the defending champion.
Paul Nicholls, who has saddled a record six winners of the Betfair
Chase, with Kauto Star’s triumphs supplemented by the two wins of Silviniaco Conti in 2012 and 2014, is represented by Frodon.
The small but select field is completed by Bristol De Mai’s Charlie Hall Chase-winning stablemate Ballyoptic.
However, a maximum field was declared for the Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, with ante-post favourite Umbrigado one of 17 runners.
The five-year-old represents trainer
David Pipe and owner John White, who were successful in the race in 2011 with Dynaste. Pipe has also won tomorrow’s big handicap with Grands Crus and Gevrey Chambertin.
Umbrigado lost his unbeaten record when he was last seen finishing sixth behind Reserve Tank in Grade One novice company at Aintree.
Heading the weights is Nicky Martin’s 10-year-old Sykes, who will be giving 5lb and more to the rest of the field.