BRISTOL De Mai will face just three rivals in the Betfair Chase on Saturday.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ star eight-year-old is chasing a hat-trick of wins in the valuable Grade 1 at Haydock.
The grey is aiming to become the third three-time winner after the great Kauto Star – who claimed four renewals between 2006 and 2011 – and Cue Card (2013, 2015 and 2016).
Cue Card’s former trainer Colin Tizzard this year relies on Lostintranslation.
A top-class novice last season, the seven-year-old made a foot-perfect start to his campaign at Carlisle three weeks ago – and is widely considered the biggest threat to the defending champion.
Paul Nicholls has saddled a record six winners of the Betfair Chase, with Kauto Star’s four triumphs supplemented by the two wins of Silviniaco Conti in 2012 and 2014.
The Ditcheat trainer is represented by Frodon this time around. Last season’s Ryanair Chase hero shaped as though he badly needed the run when third on his return at Aintree.
The small but select field is completed by Bristol De Mai’s Charlie Hall Chase-winning stablemate Ballyoptic.
Altior and Elegant Escape have not been declared. Altior is instead set for a mouth-watering clash with Cyrname at Ascot, while Elegant Escape appears bound for the Ladbrokes Trophy.
