LOST TO MAINTAIN BETFAIR CROWN

The big race of the day this Saturday takes place in the North West where Haydock’s premier chase of the season and first stage of the Stayers Chase Triple Crown, the Betfair Chase, gets underway. Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 fallout the Stayers Chase Triple Crown no longer has the additional £1million prize pot on offer but never the less this race, formerly known as The Lancashire Chase, holds an abundance of prestige.

Last years victor LOSTINTRANSLATION returns to the scene of his last success after producing a solid performance to claim third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He beat Bristol De Mai, who renews the rivalry, by 1 and a half lengths in this contest last year and I feel Colin Tizzard’s charge may have progressed further since then. The yard have begun to get their horses firing after a shaky start to the season and although he has some serious contenders to deal with a repeat of last years performance should be enough to see him claim success once again. King George winner Clan Des Obeaux shouldn’t be far away but you have to feel that his future Kempton engagement will take president. Likely to need the run after his summer break and having never tasted success on seasonal debut you’d have to think that Nicholls charge is solely targeting Boxing Day.

The aforementioned bold jumping grey Bristol De Mai has claimed success in this race previously and holds a very solid course record. With four wins and a second from five starts here at Haydock it’d be foolish to disregard his chances entirely but with more than double the races of the current market favourite it’s hard to see him overturning last years result.

LOSTINTRANSLATION

written by Rory Paddock