THE prominent status of Carlisle’s Colin Parker Memorial Chase in the racing calendart is again boosted on Saturday when Haydock’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase features a re-match between Lostintranslation and Bristol de Mai, while down at Ascot the Paul Nicholls trained Cyrname tackles Altior in the Grade 2 Christy 1965 Chase.

Lostintranslation delighted Carlisle racegoers with a stunning display of jumping to turn the Colin Parker earlier this month into a procession, while Cyrname finished third in last year’s contest and Bristol de Mai was runner-up behind Seeyouatmidnight back in 2016.

Since his narrow defeat at Carlisle, Bristol de Mai has proved his quality at the top level and the hugely popular grey will be bidding to emulate Kauto Star and Cue Card at Haydock in his attempt to win the Betfair Chase for the third time.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is bullish about his eight-year-old completing the hat-trick, stressing that however highly the Tizzard camp rate Lostintranslation, the horse he beat at Carlisle was Count Meribel whom he also trains and, in his opinion, is significantly inferior to Bristol de Mai.

The bookmakers support Twiston-Davies’s confidence quoting his Haydock specialist as short as even money.

I beg to differ on the grounds that Lostintranslarion had already proved his outstanding promise before he arrived at Carlisle, winning the Dipper Chase at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting, being narrowly beaten by Defi Du Seul at the Festival and finally going on to land the Mildmay Novices Chase at Aintree.

He can improve for his win in the Colin Parker and further advertise his Cheltenham Gold Cup chances.

Cyrname was sent off favourite to win the 2018 Colin Parker Memorial on his seasonal debut but finished a one-paced third behind Mr Whitaker.

He quickly put that reverse behind him and early this year landed the Grade 1 Ascot Gold Cup after which he was rated the country’s leading staying chaser.

Whether Cyrname can topple the mighty Altior on Saturday’s return to Ascot is a matter of opinion.

My own preference is for the Nicky Henderson star who has always gone well first time out and whose jockey Nico de Boinville believes has the finishing acceleration to overhaul Cyrname in the closing stages of what promises to be a fascinating duel.

Catterick stage their first jumps meeting of the season tomorrow and Jimmy Moffatt could be the Cumbrian trainer to follow.

The Cartmel handler has Turtle Wars with Charlotte Jones in the saddle for the opening conditional jockeys hurdle.

However, his best chance comes later in the day with The Steward who ran well in stronger company at Ayr last time out and who should be better suited to Catterick’s sharper circuit.