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

Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker has been handed the chance to take some more notable scalps in the first Grade 1 race of the British jumps season next Saturday.

He had been originally earmarked for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing day, after flooring hot favourite Bravemansgame at Wetherby a fortnight ago.

But the continued dry weather has caused Patrick Neville to aim him instead at the Betfair Chase at Haydock, where he is set to take on highly regarded second-season chasers Grey Dawning and Corbetts Cross, who both won at the Cheltenham Festival last spring.

Explaining the change of plan, the trainer said: "The King George is going to be very hot, so there's no point in running. We were going to go for the King George and avoid the Betfair, but we looked at Haydock and decided if the ground was nice we'd go there. He could go well.

"I thought Haydock would come a bit soon but he came out of the race at Wetherby well."

Patrick Neville (right) with stable star The Real WhackerCredit: John Grossick

Neville hopes the weather will stay dry for The Real Whacker, who is a best-priced 20-1 for the Betfair Chase.

"There's not much rain around and I can't see it getting very heavy before next Saturday, so we'll take our chance," he said. "You can take him anywhere when the ground is good. I've been delighted with him since Wetherby and he's in great form."

Brian Hughes came in for the ride at Wetherby, where The Real Whacker gained his first victory since the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, because usual partner Sam Twiston-Davies was unavailable.

Jockey arrangements for Haydock have yet to be finalised and Neville said: "We'll see during the week but I can't take Brian off him if he wants to ride. He was the last man to win on him."

Gold Tweet, the 2023 winner of the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, was backed into 14-1 (from 33) on Sunday morning for the feature chase at Haydock.

Betfair Chase, 3.05 Haydock, Saturday
Betfair: 7-4 Grey Dawning, 4 Corbetts Cross, 6 Ahoy Senor, Hewick, 8 Royale Pagaille, 10 Il Est Francais, 14 Bravemansgame, Gold Tweet, 16 The Real Whacker, 20 bar

Now read these . . .

'I never wrote him off' - The Real Whacker floors Bravemansgame in Charlie Hall Chase 

'We’ll be looking to Haydock' – Corbetts Cross an eyecatching entry for Betfair and King George with some big names absent 

'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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