Daryl Jacob can't wait to ride Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday as he goes for his third win in the Grade One contest.
Saturday Rides - Haydock
BRISTOL DE MAI – 3.00
BRISTOL DE MAI has been such a great horse for me and it’s hard to believe he’s still only nine. He’s achieved so much and hopefully we can have another fantastic day together at Haydock on Saturday as he goes for his third Betfair Chase.
He went down on his sword last year when second to Lostintranslation in the same race and that horse is back for more, too, but the ground will probably be softer this weekend than it was last year and that could tip the balance in our favour.
I can’t wait to ride him. He looks really well since he came back in and I schooled him last week when he felt fit and ready to go. Sparky is very happy with him, Nige is very happy with him and so am I.
He likes to be fit and fresh and we think he’s raring to go in that sense. Make no mistake, though, there might only be five runners but this is a really competitive contest. As well as Lostintranslation you’ve got a dual King George winner in Clan Des Obeaux so there’s quality if not quantity.
But this is a home game for Bristol. He simply loves Haydock and whatever the conditions are he’ll love it, so here’s hoping he can win a fifth Grade One.
FIX SUN – 1.15
I also ride FIX SUN in the Betfair Racing Only Bettor Handicap Hurdle and I’d expect a much improved performance from his Cheltenham reappearance.
He ran much better than his finishing position suggests last time. He just got tired at the bottom of the hill and needed the run that day but I think 2m3f around Haydock will be absolutely ideal.
I’m hoping he can run a really solid race for me on Saturday.
GOOD BOY BOBBY – 1.50
I think a lot of things will suit GOOD BOY BOBBY in the Back And Lay On Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
He won for us at Bangor on very soft ground at the end of October and it was very hard work that day, I probably didn’t get the real true feel of him to be honest.
However, I’ve schooled him since and he’s in really good form, so hopefully he can step up again at Haydock. It’s another step in his learning curve and I’m looking forward to riding him.
WHOLESTONE 2.25
WHOLESTONE could be very interesting back in a handicap in the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle. I think Kalashnikov runs so he should have a nice weight of 11-6 and that could be ideal for him.
Last time at Wetherby he was disappointing, so he has to put that behind him, but on his best form he’d have a really good chance here.
He came out of Wetherby fine so hopefully we can put a line through it as he just didn’t jump or travel well that day for whatever reason.
Fusil hated Cheltenham ground
FUSIL RAFFLES purely and simply hated the ground at Cheltenham in the Grade 2 From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase on Saturday.
He just couldn’t jump out of it, it turned against him, it was just far too soft and he’ll be kept away from bad ground all winter now. I looked after him once his chance had gone.
The good news is he’s come out of it in A1 shape and he’ll be saved for a spring campaign with Cheltenham, Aintree, Ayr and Punchestown all in the mix whenever the ground is better.
Two to look out for this week
GOA LIL – Wincanton Thursday
I was gutted when he fell at the last at Ludlow last time as he’d jumped and travelled well up to that point. We were three lengths clear with the race in the bag.
Thursday’s Wincanton contest looks stronger, but he’s come out of Ludlow well, the track should suit and hopefully he can make amends in the Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
GIPSY DE CHOISEL – Ascot Friday
Look out for this horse in the Play The Coral ‘Racing Super Series’ ‘Introductory’ Hurdle at Ascot on Friday.
He won nicely in France earlier in the year but this is his first run for us. We need to get a run into him and find out more about him but he’s been going well at home.
You in Two - Jockey Edition
We're challenging the biggest names in racing to take part in the Sporting Life 'You In Two' challenge.
In the first episode of the series we grabbed Irish National Hunt jockey Daryl Jacob...how will he do?
