Daryl Jacob reflects on Bristol De Mai's Haydock win

Buzzing after Bristol

Bristol De Mai was very, very good in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. He felt great going down to the start and we knew it was one of his best chances of landing another knockout blow on the big boys.

I was very proud of him. It was a great day, emotional for a lot of reasons. I’m lucky to be associated with a horse like him and to win three Betfair Chases is a remarkable feat.

Sparky and Nigel told me the night before they couldn’t have had him in better shape and on the first circuit he was in a lovely rhythm. He powered home with me from the second last and it was an amazing day

There’s talk of a tilt at the Randox Health Grand National now and I can see why. He jumped fantastically with me at Haydock, as https://cms.prod.spl.infinityworks.com/story-managerwell as he’s ever done, and if you’re going to have a go at Aintree this would be the year to do it with him.

Bobby bumped into one

I was thrilled with Good Boy Bobby in the Back And Lay On Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase. Master Tommytucker is a very good horse when he gets his act together and we pulled a long way clear of the third. The winner jumped and travelled nicely and I couldn’t lay a glove on him from four out but my horse stuck at it well and just bumped into a very good one on the day.

Wholestone was running OK when falling three put in the Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle. He was in the mix still but again his jumping let him down.

Weekend rides:

SIR SHOLOKOV 12.25 Newbury Friday

I’m looking forward to him. He’s a point-to-point winner who’s with Harry Whittington now. He’s shown up nicely at home but has had a wind operation and we’ll have to see how he is with his wind through the race. If it’s good he’s an exciting horse to look forward to.

CARIBEAN BOY 1.50 Newbury Friday

We only face two rivals in the Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Novices' Chase but Fiddlerontheroof is a very good horse and Getaway Trump was a very useful hurdler. He probably hasn’t transferred that ability to fences yet but is talented. I really liked my horse when I rode him at Doncaster last year and he went on to win a nice race at Haydock.

It’s his first run of the season and the other two have had an outing so he’s up against it fitness wise but he’s an exciting horse for the future.

SCEAU ROYAL 2.05 Newcastle Saturday

I can’t wait for this ride. The ground up there should be ideal for him, he’s two from two this season, in the form of his life, and going left-handed will really suit him.

We have Epatante to beat while Silver Streak and Ribble Valley are very talented too. It’s not going to easy but it shouldn’t be. It’s a Grade One and Sceau Royal has earned a crack at it. If there’s any day we’re going to beat Epatante it will be on Saturday so I’m looking forward to it. He’s in great form at home.

PYM – 3.15 Newcastle Saturday

It looks like I’ve picked up the ride on him in the Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase which is great news. He’s favourite and is a horse I know having finished second to him on If The Cap Fits at Sandown. He looks in great form at home, will have come on for that first run back and looks a great ride to have picked up.

Being at Newcastle means I miss the ride on KILDISART in the Ladbrokes Trophy which I’m gutted about.

He gave me a great ride when touched off by The Conditional in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March. He’s a wonderful horse and I thought his run over hurdles on his Wetherby reappearance was very encouraging.

It looks a very open Ladbrokes Trophy. I don’t think there’s an exceptional horse in there or a second season chaser lurking on a dangerous mark and Kildisart must have a great chance.