Daryl Jacob: Bristol De Mai on track for Betfair Chase after skipping Charlie Hall

Bristol doing well ahead of Haydock

It looks a cracking renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday with Cyrname and Vinndication in there and although it was great to win it aboard Bristol De Mai three years ago I think it was the right decision to skip the race with him this time around.

To take on Cyrname first time out might well have dented his Betfair Chase claims at Haydock next month and that’s his big target once again given his exceptional record at the track.

He’s really well in himself, we just want to keep him fresh for Haydock as he goes for a third Betfair Chase and we want to regain his crown after his gallant second last year.

Running at Wetherby probably wouldn’t have helped him in that pursuit and given it’s such a hot renewal it looks the right decision.

Delighted with Cheltenham double

It was some spin on Rouge Vif in the two-mile handicap at Cheltenham last Friday, what a super horse he is.

I’d sat on him the previous Tuesday when schooling him at Harry Whittington’s and he gave me a great feel, but I wasn’t quite prepared for what he did in the race.

It was a high-class performance, a Grade One horse running in a handicap, and he’s improved from the previous year as a new rating of 164 suggests.

His days in handicaps look over and he looks well up to taking his chance in what looks a wide-open Championship Chase division.

On the same card I was also very impressed with Fusil Raffles in the novices’ chase, he ran a time a second quicker than Rouge Vif carrying the same weight which indicates what a good novice he is.

I think Sir Valentine is a very good horse, so to beat him over nine lengths giving him 5lb was a really good effort and helps to justify a performance that felt very good to me.

We wanted to get Cheltenham form into him as you won’t be seeing him in the depths of winter, so it was important to get some course experience into him ahead of the spring.

He handled the track very well and hopefully the future’s bright for him.

Bobby dazzler at Bangor

It was nice that Good Boy Bobby got the job done in his intermediate chase at Bangor on Tuesday.

We’re still learning about each other, it was the first time I’d sat on him on a racecourse, but he’s clearly a nice type.

The ground at Bangor was very soft, so I don’t think that played to his strengths, and even though we won I think we learnt an awful lot about the horse, as well.

He could go for a similar race next time as we take small steps with him in the early part of the campaign.

Fulgurix starts out at Uttoxeter

There’s a bit of a buzz about Fulgurix ahead of his debut for us at Uttoxeter on Friday in the 2m4f novices’ hurdle.

He’s a nice horse at home but there’s a big difference in going and doing it on the track. He’s had a long lay-off and he’s not 100 per cent tuned up for Friday but he’s ready to start now.

It looks a good track to start him off and we should learn plenty wherever he finishes.

Saturday Rides – Wetherby

Mrs Hyde – 2.10

I’m delighted to pick up a spare ride in the Listed bet365 Mares’ Hurdle on Mrs Hyde for Brian Ellison.

I’ve not ridden her before but Nico de Boinville says she’s a nice type and he won on her at Kempton on better ground, so hopefully it doesn’t get too much softer.

The race revolves around Verdana Blue, but she’s another who needs better ground and if you look beyond her we’re as good as anything else in the race, so we’ll see what happens.

Wholestone – 2.45

Wholestone seems in really good form since he’s come back from injury, his work has been good, so I’m very much looking forward to getting back on him in the bet365 Hurdle.

He seems really well, he’s moving well and we’re happy with him.

We’re taking on the Stayers’ Hurdle winner, Lisnagar Oscar, but he carries a 6lb penalty and on ratings we’re best of the rest, so I’m hopeful of a big run.

He’s a warrior and he tries hard.

Oistrakh Le Noir – 3.55

This fellow has had 917 days off the track, an awful lot of time off, he picked up a little injury at the backend of his three-year-old career.

He’s a horse I’ve always thought an awful lot of and it looks a nice place to start him back - a good track on what will hopefully be beautiful ground.

I’m sure he’ll improve for the run and I can’t wait until he eventually goes chasing.

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