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2024 Betfair Chase: the runners, the odds, the verdict
The first British Grade 1 of the jumps season takes place at Haydock on Saturday with a stellar running of the Betfair Chase (3.05). Cheltenham Festival winner Grey Dawning is the ante-post favourite as he makes his return against eight rivals.
Get the lowdown on all of the Betfair Chase contenders, including their trainers and jockeys plus big-race odds, in our comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to the premier handicap.
2024 Betfair Chase: the full list of horses for Haydock
1 Ahoy Senor
Beaten on last nine starts going back to the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in January 2023; however, since then he's twice been a fine second in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f), and he stayed on for a highly creditable second off top weight in the Old Roan (2m4f, good) on his reappearance; could have a big say now back up in trip.
Trainer: Lucinda Russell
Jockey: Derek Fox
Forecast odds: 9-2
2 Bravemansgame
Won the King George (3m, soft) in December 2022 and second in the Gold Cup next time; didn't hit the same heights last term (soundly beaten second to Royale Pagaille in this) but he ran a big race when runner-up in the King George (3m, good) and could improve for his recent reappearance second to The Real Whacker in the Charlie Hall; not ruled out in first-time blinkers.
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Forecast odds: 10-1
3 Capodanno
His form is up and down and he was tailed off on his last two starts in the spring; however, he won the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) in January before a creditable fourth in the Ryanair there over an inadequate 2m4f (soft); supplemented for this race at a cost of £7,200 and represents all-conquering Irish trainer Willie Mullins; in with a chance.
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Forecast odds: 11-1
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4 Gold Tweet
French-trained seven-year-old who has run just twice in Britain and one of those was a clear career best, when landing the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle in January 2023 (3m, soft); it's possible the return to Britain will prompt another surge in his form, and he's a Grade 2 chase winner in France, but others have far more substance to their chase form and he's been below par this autumn.
Trainers: Gabriel Leenders
Jockey: Gabin Meunier
Forecast odds: 20-1
5 Grey Dawning
Highly progressive novice last term, easily winning Grade 2 at Warwick (3m, soft) in January and following up in the Grade 1 Turners at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft); may have been ready for a break when below par at Aintree; effective on good to soft, unraced on good, and has won here; brings star potential to his second chasing season and could play leading role.
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Forecast odds: 9-4f
6 Hewick
Came from well back for Grade 1 King George win at Kempton (3m, good) last December and arrives on the back of a close second in the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal (3m, good to yielding); has won at up to 3m5f in the past; soft going would pose a question but he ran with promise on such ground in the 2023 Gold Cup (fell two out); could be a contender if conditions suit.
Trainer: Shark Hanlon
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Forecast odds: 10-1
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7 Royale Pagaille
Ten-year-old who has been absent since falling at final fence in Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January (fractured his shoulder); however, he was making his reappearance when winning this race in fine style 12 months ago (soft) and has an excellent four-from-five record at Haydock; the forecast rain is in his favour and he'll be a leading player if at the top of his game.
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Forecast odds: 7-2
8 The Real Whacker
Made all in the Grade 1 novice chase at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) in March 2023 and, having drawn a blank last season, he returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3m, good) three weeks ago; vulnerable if some of these are at their very best but that's not guaranteed and this in-form 8yo could make another bold bid.
Trainer: Patrick Neville
Jockey: Brian Hughes
Odds: 12-1
9 Limerick Lace
Thrived last season, finishing second of 20 in the Troytown Handicap at Navan (3m, soft to heavy) last November and winning the Grade 2 mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft); also effective on good to soft (unraced on good); further improvement is required today but this 7yo is in excellent hands to continue to progress and is not ruled out.
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Keith Donoghue
Odds: 9-1
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The verdict: our top Betfair Chase tip
Haydock brings out the best in ROYALE PAGAILLE, who won this 12 months ago on his reappearance, and he can land back-to-back runnings. Ahoy Senor was a very promising third over an inadequate 2m4f in the Old Roan at Aintree on his reappearance and he is feared most now back up in trip. Grade 1 novice winner Grey Dawning brings considerable potential to this second chasing campaign, while Irish challengers Capodanno and Hewick are other possible contenders.
Ben Hutton, Spotlight tipster
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