‘It’s all systems go’ – Why 14-1 Bristol De Mai is no mug in the Betfair Chase

There are few more popular horses in training than the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Bristol De Mai. An absolute legend of Jump racing, the gorgeous grey has won three Betfair Chases. The eleven-year-old had been the subject of plenty of retirement talk but connections have blown that notion out of the water. A son of Saddler Maker, he is apparently showing all the right signs at home. This season’s first major target will again be the Betfair Chase and ‘it’s all systems go’ according to the owners’ racing manager. Bristol De Mai has as good a chance as any this year and here is why. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

Course Specialist

Twiston Davies’ charge has a fantastic record at Haydock and the track plays to his strengths. In 8 career starts there, he has five wins and two seconds. There’s just one blip on his record, this race last year where the ground was far too quick for him and he ran no sort of race.

Prior to that, he had won a Grade 2 novices’ chase, the Peter Marsh Chase and this race in 2017, 2018 and 2020. Added to this, he was beaten into second by a peak Lostintranslation in the 2019 renewal which is still a smart piece of form. He showed an aptitude for limitless stamina with an excellent second under a huge weight in the Grand National Trial over an extended 3m4f two starts ago.

Mud lover

In order to regain his Betfair Chase crown, the ground will have to be as soft as possible. Conditions were too fast last year which enabled the younger horses with more tactical speed to get the jump on him. His effort in the Grand National trial here showed that he has an abundance of stamina. The race needs to be a proper stamina test in gruelling conditions in order to tip the scales in his favour. He has won or placed in all eight starts on heavy and eight out of nine starts on soft ground.

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