A BRILLIANT FRONT-running display saw Bristol De Mai dominate proceedings at the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday afternoon.
The grey crossed the line a total 57 lengths clear of Cue Card to secure the first leg of the Jockey’s Club £1 million Triple Crown.
Six year-old Bristol De Mai faced stiff competition from three-time winner Cue Card in the absence of last season’s Gold Cup winner Sizing John, with a late flurry bringing prices on the latter down significantly to 11/10 minutes before the off.
Rider Daryl Jackob led from start to finish, with Bristol De Mai’s sizable win considered unprecedented at a Grade One race.
“That was very good. I didn’t have to worry about too much. I only had to worry about the last few fences and he jumped them well,” trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said speaking with RTÉ afterwards.
“We’ve had a brief chat and the idea would be the King George, the Cotswold Chase and then the Gold Cup.
“You might not get this ground (at Kempton), but we’ll see. I’m not that worried about it.
“He goes out and has his own way of doing it. He has a big engine and can go faster than that. He’s always worked fantastically well and he’s a supreme horse.”
“He’s a phenomenal horse, he’s a beautiful horse,” added jockey Jacob.
“He’s a fabulous horse and we’ve always thought the world of him.”
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