The last four winners of the Betfair Chase were making their seasonal reappearance – but less than half the line-up for Saturday’s Grade 1 at Haydock will be out for their first start of the campaign.
A field of nine has been declared – the biggest since 2014 – and last year’s winner Royal Pagaille is joined by antepost favourite Grey Dawning as well as Irish raiders Capodanno and Limerick Lace in taking to the Merseyside track for their 2024/25 bow.
It is not the strongest trend from the past decade, however, and a red-hot renewal of the first top-level contest of the British season also features Ahoy Senor, Bravemansgame, Gold Tweet, Hewick and The Real Whacker who have race fitness on their side.
Betfair Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise key historical trends from the last 10 renewals and a tip based off the big-race stats are below.
Betfair Chase 2024 trends
CHASE FORM
- 10/10 had at least seven runs over fences
Grey Dawning is the only runner in the field to have had fewer than seven chase starts in his career.
RATING
- 10/10 were rated 160 or higher
Capodanno (159), Gold Tweet (138), Limerick Lace (153) and The Real Whacker (159) are the next to fall short on a key trend and it is another negative for Grey Dawning (157).
ODDS
- 10/10 could be found in the top three in the betting
Bravemansgame and Hewick are not among the market principals with Paddy Power after final declarations.
AGE
- 9/10 were aged seven to nine
Royale Pagaille would be the oldest winner since Cue Card in 2016 if he were to retain the title.
Betfair Chase 2024 trends verdict
AHOY SENOR, who blew off the cobwebs with a third place in last month’s Old Roan Chase, is one of the quirkiest characters in the staying ranks but he ticks all the key boxes for the Betfair Chase.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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