The Merseyside venue of Haydock takes centre stage on the racing front this Saturday as the track hosts its signature jumps contest of the season. First run in 2005, the 3m1½f Betfair Chase is a relatively new addition to the National Hunt programme but already boasts an enviable roll of honour.
The legendary Kauto Star landed the prize four times between 2006 and 2011, with the hugely popular Colin Tizzard star Cue Card just one behind on three wins. Throw in King George hero Silviniaco Conti and Cheltenham Gold Cup champs Imperial Commander and A Plus Tard, and the standard of horse it often takes to prevail becomes clear.
Dawning Rises to Summit of Market
Following the confirmation of the final field on Thursday morning, we have our list of nine runners and riders who will set out to grab a share of the £206,200 in total prize money.
Despite facing significantly more experienced rivals, the Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning tops the market on his first outing outside novice company. Winning four of six starts last season, the big highlight came when claiming the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. That came over 2m4f, but having previously landed a three-mile Grade 2 race at Warwick by 14 lengths, he is expected to possess sufficient stamina for this test.
Having proven his suitability for Cheltenham, the Gold Cup is Grey Dawning’s big target for the season. However, first things first, and the mount of Harry Skelton will look to hand his trainer a second win in this prestigious contest following the success of Protektorat in 2022.
Dangers Lurk in a High-Class Field
Grey Dawning has certainly impressed with his jumping and relentless galloping, but this is his stiffest test. Whilst he promises to see out the trip, this will be the longest distance he has tackled to date and takes place at a track renowned for ruthlessly exposing stamina limitations.
There is also a slight question mark regarding the quality of his novice form. Turners Novices’ Chase runner-up Ginny’s Destiny flopped on his first outing in open company in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last weekend.
Grey Dawning will likely need to be all he is cracked up to be to conquer a field of quality rivals from both sides of the Irish Sea. If the Skelton runner comes up short, the market suggests that one of the following five is most likely to take advantage.
- Royal Pagaille – Having slammed Bravemansgame, Corach Rambler, and Protekorat in the 2023 edition, this Venetia Williams star is unlikely to relinquish his crown without a fight. Also counting wins in Peter Marsh Handicap Chase in 2021 and 2022 on his CV, Royal Pagaille is a three-time winner over this track and trip. With all six career victories coming on soft or worse going, the current good ground won’t suit. However, with snow, sleet, and rain forecast, the tide may turn in his favour by Saturday afternoon
- Ahoy Senor – As a previous winner of the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Lucinda Russell’s stable star merits plenty of respect. He’s yet to get his head in front in a Grade 1 outside of novice company but ran a cracker to go down by just half a length to Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl on his final start of 2023/24. Having blown away the cobwebs with a recent spin at Aintree, he is a big threat to all
- Capodanno – Willie Mullins has yet to win the Betfair Chase but will hope to break his duck with this JP McManus-owned eight-year-old. An impressive winner of the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in 2022, he has had a few problems since. However, his verdict over The Real Whacker in the 2024 Cotswold Chase suggested his talent remains. Rated two pounds higher than Grey Dawning, he may be a popular each-way option
- Hewick – Shark Hanlon’s pocket rocket is unlikely to start at his current double-figure price if the rain misses the track. Likely to be the smallest runner in the field, anything Hewick lacks in size, he makes up for with grit, determination, and talent. Showing his class when causing an upset in the 2023 King George VI Chase, he posted an excellent effort when a close second in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase on his most recent outing
- Limerick Lace – This mare from the Gavin Cromwell operation also sports the green and gold of JP McManus. She’s yet to score in Grade 1 company but put up a top-tier display when seeing off the proven Grade 1 performer Dinoblue in the Mares’ Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March. The 3m1½f trip poses a question, but the fact connections opted to run her in the Grand National suggests they have few concerns in the stamina department
Can Grey Dawning see them all off to confirm himself as a potential new star in the staying division? Or will the prize fall to one of the more established names? We will know the answer by around 3:40 pm on Saturday.