Betfair Chase set to be gruelling test after ground goes heavy in places

The Betfair Chase looks set to be run in testing conditions after the ground at Haydock on Wednesday morning was changed to soft, heavy in places, from soft, on the chase course.

The track was hit by 14mm of rain on Tuesday to add to the 14mm that fell on Sunday and Monday. The hurdles course remains soft.

More rain was forecast on Wednesday with conditions "improving to showers" from Thursday onwards.

The gruelling nature of the Grade 1, the first leg of the £1 million Triple Crown, looks assured, especially as the £200,000 contest will be run over an extra furlong and a half this year, with the distance now 3m1f 125yds.

Bristol De Mai was on Wednesday the 13-8 favourite with the sponsors, who trimmed Cue Card into 5-2 from 3-1, the price of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John.