JP McManus supplements Willie Mullins-trained Grade 1 winner for Betfair Chase after Corbetts Cross misses out

Grey Dawning, Hewick and Bravemansgame are set to bid for the first Grade 1 of the British jumps season with a potential field of ten in contention for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Last year's winner Royale Pagaille is also on track but Corbetts Cross, one of the leading fancies in the ante-post betting, was not put forward by Emmet Mullins.

However, Corbetts Cross's owner JP McManus supplemented the Willie Mullins-trained Capodanno, who won the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January.

The ground was described as good with some areas of good to soft down the back straight at Haydock on Monday morning with occasional rain, sleet and snow forecast. Further rain and frost is possible later in the week before temperatures are due to rise heading into the weekend.

Paul Townend rides Capodanno clear after the last in the Cotswold Chase in JanuaryCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Dan Skelton removed 2022 winner Protektorat, who finished sixth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last weekend, with early favourite Grey Dawning his sole representative. 

The seven-year-old signed off in the spring with victory in the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and a third-place finish in the Manifesto at Aintree, but missed his intended return in the Charlie Hall Chase due to the ground being too quick.

Hewick is one of two potential Irish runners in the race and was last seen finishing second to Envoi Allen in the Champion Chase at Down Royal. Mares' Chase winner Limerick Lace, also owned by JP McManus, could return to the north west of England, having been a beaten joint-favourite in the Grand National in April.

Charlie Hall winner The Real Whacker looks to follow up for Patrick Neville after he defeated Bravemansgame at Wetherby.

Royale Pagaille defeated Bravemansgame in last year's Betfair ChaseCredit: John Grossick

The Grade 2 Old Roan Chase form could also be put in the spotlight with the first and third set to run. Aintree winner Minella Drama could run at three miles for the first time in his career, but the bookmakers favour Ahoy Senor to reverse the form and he is the 7-2 second favourite with the sponsors.

The French-trained Gold Tweet, who won the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, also featured among the entries having been backed into 12-1 (from 33) over the weekend. His trainer Gabriel Leenders had a notable success at Cheltenham's November meeting with Sweet David in the cross-country on Friday.

Elsewhere, last season's Pertemps Final winner Monmiral heads the weights for the £100,000 Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle, for which impressive Cheltenham winner Doyen Quest has been confirmed by Skelton.

Betfair Chase confirmations

• Ahoy Senor Lucinda Russell
• Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls
• Capodanno Willie Mullins
• Gold Tweet Gabriel Leenders
• Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
• Hewick Shark Hanlon
• Minella Drama Donald McCain
• Royale Pagaille Venetia Williams
• The Real Whacker Patrick Neville
• Limerick Lace Gavin Cromwell

Betfair Chase latest odds

Betfair: 7-4 Grey Dawning, 7-2 Ahoy Senor, 11-2 Royale Pagaille, Hewick, 7 Bravemansgame, 10 The Real Whacker, Capodanno, 12 Gold Tweet, 14 Limerick Lace, 33 Minella Drama 

Read more:

What's on this week: the Betfair Chase, Willie Mullins unleashes some champions and Auguste Rodin's swansong in Japan 

'The King George is going to be very hot, so there's no point in running' - The Real Whacker primed for Betfair Chase 

'We'll have him prepared best we can' - Dan Skelton not afraid of heading straight to Betfair Chase with Grey Dawning

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