Daryl Jacob can't wait to ride Betfair Chase favourite Bristol De Mai at Haydock on Saturday and he goes through all of his rides and more in his latest column.
It’s a big day for everyone connected with Bristol De Mai on Saturday as he goes for the Grade One Betfair Chase (3.00) at Haydock Park.
He’s a horse that’s achieved so much already for a six-year-old and he goes for his third top-level success this weekend, but, make no mistake, this would be the biggest win of his career.
The good thing is he came bouncing out of his Wetherby win, he looks to be maturing, and all that rain that has fallen at Haydock this week is very much in my fellow’s favour.
Of course, I can’t wait to ride him. He’s got a great chance. He showed how much the track suits when he ran away with the Peter Marsh Chase and everyone knows he loves these sort of conditions.
Tactically adaptable, he just does his own thing. He can lead or take a lead, it doesn’t bother him and that’s a great feeling for a jockey going into a big race.
I do think he’ll need to improve to win this, though. Cue Card was upsides me when he fell at Wetherby and is going for his fourth win in the race, while Outlander is very much respected on his Grade One win at Down Royal last time.
Even without Sizing John, it’s a Grade One, a very tough race, but I think Bristol is up to the job and I hope he shows everyone that is the case on Saturday afternoon.
I have four other rides on the card and spent a bit of time in the sauna on Friday to get down to 10 stone 7lb to ride Theo’s Charm in the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at 2.25.
Second in the race last year over the Fixed Brush which are no more, he’s 7lb higher this time around but has improved since and he looks the type to relish a test of stamina.
It’s a plus he likes the track and the ground and he ran a fair race over fences at Plumpton last time, so he’s got an each-way chance off that low weight.
I also ride a couple of horses for Simon [Munir] and Isaac [Souede] starting with Delire D’Estruval in the opening novices’ hurdle on the card.
He’s a lovely horse and in hindsight he needed that first run at Aintree last time so we’re expecting him to come on for that.
It looks a hot little race with Dynamite Dollars and Whatmore in there, but my horse will love the ground and he is highly thought of at home.
In the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle at 1.50 El Terremoto goes for a repeat win in the race, albeit off a 16lb higher mark.
He’s in good form following a good win at Stratford last month, although I did think the handicapper went a little bit crazy sticking him up 12lb for that victory as I’m not sure it was much of a race.
The heavy ground won’t be a bother to him, though, and at least after this we’ll know whether to stick to hurdles for the rest of the campaign or go chasing with him.
My final ride is on Lessons In Milan for Nicky Henderson and Trevor Hemmings in the handicap chase that closes the card at 3.35.
He’s a fine big stamp of a horse that schooled well on Thursday morning and he’s another that should relish the conditions. He goes well fresh and was fifth in the Scottish National when last seen so hopefully he’ll be there or thereabouts.
It’s that time of year where unfortunately I can’t be in two places at once but I’ll be cheering on Top Notch and L’Ami Serge from afar as they do battle down at Ascot.
Top Notch ran a really nice race behind Unowhatimeanharry last time and he’s got very solid claims in the Grade Two Christy 1965 Chase.
He’s two from two at Ascot and that bit of weight he gets from Smad Place will hopefully make all the difference.
As for L'Ami Serge, it’ll be tough for him to give weight to Defi Du Seuil in the Coral Hurdle, but he has to start somewhere and all roads lead to the French Champion Hurdle for him.
Finally, Sceau Royal had little more than a school around Warwick on Wednesday but it was good to get more experience into him and he could well return to that track for the Kingmaker later in the season.
His form is working out well - giving 5lb to North Hill Harvey for a neck defeat at Cheltenham looks a pretty good effort now – and he could go to Sandown on Tingle Creek day next for the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase.
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