Royale Pagaille is set to face eight rivals in a red-hot renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Venetia Williams’ stable star loves it at the Merseyside track and delivered a career-best performance to comfortably beat Bravemansgame, who renews rivalries, in last year’s renewal.
The antepost favourite, Grey Dawning, makes his seasonal reappearance and expectations are high for last season’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner to make the step up to open company.
The Real Whacker is the only runner heading into the contest in winning form after a slick display in the Charlie Hall Chase, although connections are praying that the forecast rain does not fall.
Hewick‘s connections will also be hoping the track is not too testing and Gavin Sheehan, who did the steering for last season’s King George triumph, is booked to ride.
Ahoy Senor blew off the cobwebs with an encouraging third place in the Old Roan Chase, Capodanno has been supplemented for Willie Mullins, while Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase heroine Limerick Lace makes her first appearance since the Grand National.
The outsider but, arguably, the most interesting runner is French raider Gold Tweet, who landed last season’s Cleeve Hurdle.
The latest Betfair Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Betfair Chase 2024 verdict
Timeform: AHOY SENOR is a risky betting proposition due to his suspect jumping, but he looked as good as ever ridden more patiently than usual when third under top weight in the Old Roan at Aintree on his comeback last month and could be worth chancing. The obvious threat is Grey Dawning, who was the leading British-trained novice last season and should have even more to offer this term. Haydock specialist and defending champion Royale Pagaille completes he shortlist.
*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
Betfair Chase 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Betfair Chase 2024.
Ahoy Senor
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Derek Fox Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Not a fluent jumper of fences but top-class on his day and shaped as if as good as ever when third in Old Roan at Aintree on return 4 weeks ago, leaving the impression he’d have pushed the winner closer had he been asked for his effort sooner under a more patient ride than usual. High on shortlist.
*****
Bravemansgame
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
King George winner in 2022 but went winless when not operating at his best last term, including when runner-up in this and the King George at Kempton. Just a respectable comeback in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby 3 weeks ago and opposable at this level nowadays. Blinkers now fitted.
***
Capodanno
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who got back to winning ways in Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January and similar form despite shaping as if the drop in trip was against him when fourth in the Ryanair. Excuses in Grand National and Punchestown Gold Cup last 2 starts but career best is required here.
***
Gold Tweet
Trainer: Gabriel Leenders Jockey: Gabin Meunier Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Smart French chaser but seems better over hurdles (winner of the Cleeve Hurdle in 2022/23) and looks up against it at this level.
**
Grey Dawning
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Took really well to fences last term, bagging his third win in Grade 1 Turners Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and posting a solid third in Manifesto Novices Chase at Aintree final run. Most likeable sort who hasn’t reached his ceiling.
****
Hewick
Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser excellently ridden to win the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. All the better for return when narrowly failing to add another Grade 1 to his CV in the Kauto Star at Down Royal 3 weeks ago and should be in the mix once more.
****
Royale Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Not seen since falling 3 out in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January but he claimed the scalp of Bravemansgame on his return in this 12 months ago, further enhancing his superb record at this venue. Another big run could well be on the cards.
****
The Real Whacker
Trainer: Patrick Neville Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Came up short at the top level last season but back to his best when making all in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby 3 weeks ago. Will find this harder to dominate.
***
Limerick Lace
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 7 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Smart mare who arrives on the back of an excellent second season over fences, winning 3 times, notably the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Excuses in the Grand National final start and she’s not taken lightly.
***
Read More on the Betfair Chase 2024
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Betfair Chase trends and stats for Haydock 3.05 on Saturday
- When is the Betfair Chase? Haydock date, start time, runners and betting
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
