Bristol De Mai confirmed himself a Merseyside marvel by recording back-to-back wins in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
The grey’s participation had been in doubt in the morning because of the drying ground but Nigel Twiston-Davies gave him the green light to defend his crown and conditions proved no barrier.
Daryl Jacob immediately sent the 13-2 chance to the front and he made most, winning by four lengths at the main expense of Gold Cup hero Native River, who was sent off at 5-2.
Thistlecrack, stablemate of the runner-up, kept on to finish third after making a few minor mistakes, another length and three quarters back, with Clan Des Obeaux fourth.
The big disappointment was King George winner Might Bite, the evens favourite, who folded tamely after having every chance three out. He could barely raise a gallop after the final obstacle and was beaten an aggregate of almost 29 lengths. Connections blamed the fences for being unusually tough.
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Vídeo Completo
When you watch that race again, you have to appreciate the quality of that field, they are all Grade 1 winning horses with a Gold Cup and Welsh National winner, a King George winner (now), dual Betfair Chase winner (now), Grade 1 winning novice and a Grade 1 winning staying hurdler. I mean wow, what a performance from Bristol De Mai on that ground too!
Bristol de mai…. 2nd last game over get on
Thistlecrack is the man
Bristol de mai,native river 2 best horses in that race Thistlecrack times came and gone trust me might bite to dodgy 2 throw money 💰on
Might bite terrible run there but considering he from Henderson's yard hes well still in with shout of the king George and gold cup Henderson's stable onl getting going now although love c one from Ireland win them all
Thistle jungle bell merry Christmas 🤶
Appreciate with commercial buildings mixed developments there
Nice racecourse nearly extravagant with Residences Mall would jump stocks gross more
Go on the Bristol de mai had £30 on it good thing
A third of the horses in the chases unseated or fell at Haydock on Saturday. Thistlecrack will come on massively for that run and the fences have been slated for being too high and testing. Get the jumping cleaned up and Thistlecrack becomes a major player again for the big prizes.
Thistlecrack wins the King George in my book. They haven’t sent him back hurdling like last time he came back from injury which means this time they know he’s fit. Can’t wait to get there on Boxing Day. Best days racing for me. He was bolting up there at the end.
Everybody’s saying it’s just Haydock but I was on might bite for last years King George and for a long while I was bricking it because Bristol de mai was looking like he was gonna bolt up. This year he’s come of age and I’m backing him for the gold cup coz he has been under estimated just like Summerville boy last year when the facts were there for all to see
Thistlecrack should have stayed hurdling unbeatable over hurdles sad but his jumping costs him lengths every time he gets to a fence
Mite Bite emptied again on the run in . He did the same at Cheltenham when looking all over the winner and emptied out in last years in King George too. Run this nag over 2 miles and make the running he's the new Sprinter Sacre . Nothing will catch him. Its so obvious he's not a 3 miler
This makes me think waiting patiently has an even better chance in the king George…
Stupid people who think that's elitist and chic. Horse killing industry for making money and fun. Perverse people who like horse racing.
Mite Bite again displaying a distinct lack of stamina ; the reason he will never win a Gold Cup . Neither will Bristol De Mai , as that horse hates Cheltenham .
Had my money on BDM. 😁 His last year's win on the same ground was phenomenal.
Thistlecrack still wasting too much time & energy in the air over his fences but a decent run that & Tom Scu wasn’t asking too much from him. Interesting.
Once Thistlecrack gets his jumping together, which he will, it's over for everyone !
Thistlecrack has some engine. Pity he can't jump
This was a total fix the two favs were not fit its disgusting horses being trained in public what a croc the bookies loved it punters mugged off again nothing done tho no one gives a fuck