Delight for Nigel Twiston-Davies as Bristol De Mai bounces back to his best in Betfair Chase romp
The Haydock specialist was too good for his rivals as hot favourite Might Bite laboured in last
BRISTOL DE MAI's love affair with Haydock continued on Saturday as he showed his rivals no mercy in the Betfair Chase.
The seven-year-old proved his doubters wrong with a second consecutive success in the Grade 1 marathon - as red-hot jolly Might Bite flopped.
In a contest that beforehand had racing fanatics licking their lips, the action itself did little to disappoint.
Last year's Gold Cup winner Native River set a strong pace from the outset, keeping a nose ahead from Bristol De Mai with Might Bite stalking in third.
As the pace began to quicken, it was Nigel Twiston-Davies' Mersey magician who took up the running and he and jockey Daryl Jacob skipped two lengths clear rounding the home turn.
Hot jolly Might Bite soon came off the bridle and it was left to closers Thistlecrack and Clan Des Obeaux to join Native River in laying down challenges - but none could get to the winner, who landed the race emphatically for the second year running.
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Native River boxed on for second, with Thistlecrack filling out third spot. Might Bite was disappointing and trailed home last of six.
A delighted Daryl Jacob said: "He's unbelievable. Everybody was building this up as a two-horse race, but our camp had different ideas.
"We've believed in this horse a long time. This horse has won a Grade One every year he's been over here. We've nurtured him.
"That was a big moment. He's a great horse. It obviously was a disadvantage it not being soft ground, but at this track, there's something about it he just loves and he feels a lot better.
"They were big fences and took some jumping. I got him into a lovely rhythm. He jumped super and you needed to jump today to win and that's exactly what this lad did."
The size of the fences was the cause of much discussion throughout the afternoon, with trainers Colin Tizzard and Nicky Henderson both voicing their concern.
Henderson said: “They’ve built some big fences for today – they just got him up in the air a little bit too much. Normally he’s deadly.
“Maybe he wasn’t as straight as I thought he was. I’m not blaming the fences – blame the trainer.”
Tizzard was delighted with the performances of both his contenders and said: “They both ran up to their best on this track – they’ve just been beaten by a better horse around here at this time of year.
“To be fair to Native River he looked flat most of the way. We’re trying to win a Gold Cup and I don’t just want to give him a light campaign.
“Thistlecrack did his job – he tanked into the race.
“He’s been off for a year and everyone’s been writing him off. I’m sure he’ll go to the King George – it’s just a shame the Ladbrokes Trophy wasn’t three weeks away.
“These are the biggest fences I’ve ever seen and as tight as I’ve ever seen. It’s fine for these lovely chasers but I’d think twice about bringing a novice here.”
Bristol De Mai's performance silenced the doubters and showed once and for all that Nigel Twiston-Davies' star can compete with the best on top of the ground.
The winner is a general 7-1 shot for the King George and 16-1 for the Gold Cup in March.