The big race up next. I've never really taken to Bristol De Mai, always felt he was just shy of elite level. Thistlecrack, a monster price but surely he can't get back to what he was can he?! Market suggests a two horse race but I've got a sneaky feeling Might Bite won't finish the race so that leaves Native River to take the spoils. Nothing on yet but I'm thinking Native River win and Thistlecrack ew just because of the silly price being offered or might just leave it alone, sit back and enjoy the race
Decided not to have a bet, just thought I'd clarify so I'm not coming on when it's done and after timing or bemoaning my losses.
Well, there you go. Well done Bristol De Mai backers. Thought Thistlecracks jumping let him down badly there.
A great race, and what a vindication for BDM connections - how they must wish that the Chelt festival was run at Haydock!
yes,well done too!hats off to that horse! but i thought,thistlecrack ran a mighty race still.theres still a lot left on the old body.. ascot,3 15: this is wide open,and SPEREDEK is a rather speculative choice here,but he tried his hand in very tough races last season,running respectably more than once in open company,so nigel hawkes stable star is surely not dismissed today,at least e w..
Well done to Joe with his old pal Bristol De Mai. Truly a horse for a course. Native River looked short of peak condition before the off, he kept on well but probably needs a bigger test of stamina. Thistlecrack started a promising looking run but his effort petered out fairly quickly. Perhaps the old magic is gone a bit. Might Bite looked terrific beforehand but for me he never jumped well enough. I could not believe when Mick Fitzgerald commented how well he was jumping. He travelled strongly early in the race but began to find it a bit harder work as the race progressed. He has run well below his best today and made a mockery of Nicky Henderson's comparison with Sprinter Sacre earlier in the week. That was a tame effort and surely his Gold Cup odds will drift on the back of that effort. Bristol De Mai was cut into 14/1 for the Gold Cup but like previous seasons, it would be a bet if it were held at Haydock. A messy sort of market for the Gold Cup now and 4/1 Native River is surely too skinny?
It would appear that Bristol De Mai simply loves Haydock, rather than Haydock with heavy ground. I can't wait to see the time but just visibly it looked very fast and BDM got into the best rhythm and was able to sustain it. Native River ran his heart out as always but couldn't rein the grey in. Nice run from Thistlecrack and Clan Des Obeaux but Might Bite was very disappointing. Something amiss?
I'm kind of with Chappers in his summation of BDM - saying that it may be that his wind op has proved more of an aid than people realise, and that maybe he doesn't need heavy ground, and maybe doesn't need just Haydock. Time will tell I guess Captain Redbeard for me next
