Daryl Jacob and ‘good friend’ Bristol De Mai out to end Cheltenham jinx in Saturday’s Cotswold Chase

DARYL Jacob is hoping ‘good friend’ Bristol De Mai can end his Cheltenham hoodoo this weekend.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stable star is winless in six runs at jumps HQ so far.

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But he won't have many better chances to end that jinx than in Saturday’s Paddy Power Cotswold Chase - with big rival Santini only ‘50-50’ to run.

Bristol De Mai, who bagged his third Betfair Chase in November, was a brave second to Santini in the Cotswold last season.

And he is now the hot 2-1 favourite with the big-race sponsors after Nicky Henderson cast doubt over his runner’s participation on Tuesday.

Santini or no Santini, Jacob is confident his popular grey can run a cracker.

He told Sun Racing: “Santini was in good form in the Cotswold last season, and we gave him weight and a great race.

“We were a little unlucky as Bristol just stumbled three out when they were neck and neck.

“I think we go there in much better form this time around, and if Santini turns up we will be meeting him on better terms.

“He’s run some mighty races around Cheltenham - a lot of people try and knock him and say he doesn’t handle it there.

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“But he was second in the JLT as a novice, second in this race last year and he’s finished third in a Gold Cup.

“You have to admit that Haydock is his home ground, but he has got better as he has got older and has adapted himself to handle undulating tracks."

He continued: “I will head down to Nigel’s this week to have a sit on him before Saturday.

“It looks like they’re going to get a lot of rain so the ground will be ideal for him.”

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Jacob has ridden plenty of big winners during an illustrious career - but he admits Bristol De Mai has a special place in his heart.

He said: “He’s a horse with a big following, it is a shame there wasn’t a big crowd to cheer him home at Haydock. 

“It takes an exceptional horse to win three Betfair Chases and create a bit of history and it would have been extra special were there a crowd to greet him.

“I do get attached to my horses, they become good friends over the years and he is definitely one of them.”

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