News: 16 Entered for the Betfair Chase: Big Guns Set for Haydock Showdown
🏆 Betfair Chase Entries Revealed — 16 in Contention for Haydock Glory
The entries are in for the Betfair Chase, Britain’s first Grade 1 of the jumps season — and it’s a cracker. Sixteen names are still in the mix for Haydock on November 22, with some big guns and rising stars lining up for an early-season showdown.
🔥 The Favourite
Grey Dawning heads the market and will be looking to right last year’s wrongs.
The Dan Skelton star finished second to Royale Pagaille in testing conditions 12 months ago, before that uncharacteristic early blunder saw him pulled up in the King George.
He bounced back with a Listed win at Kelso and rounded off last season with a runner-up finish in the Aintree Bowl. After skipping the Gold Cup, all roads lead to Haydock — and redemption could be on the cards.
⚔️ The Key Rivals
The defending champ Royale Pagaille returns looking for a third Betfair Chase crown — and the chance to join the greats.
Now 11, the Venetia Williams veteran absolutely loves it around Haydock, with five wins from eight runs there. He was a convincing winner two years ago and toughed it out to fend off Grey Dawning last time.
Handstands could be the young pretender. The Ben Pauling runner landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles last season and shaped well when second on return in Sunday’s Colin Parker.
There’s also Haiti Couleurs, last season’s Irish Grand National hero, who has been entered as he eyes a step up to Grade 1 company.
Skelton might have two in the mix — Protektorat, the 2022 winner, is also entered after missing the Charlie Hall at the weekend.
🇮🇪 The Irish Challenge
No Mullins this year — and no Gold Cup front four either — but Ireland still looks to have a solid hand.
Spillane’s Tower, a dual Grade 1 winner, could make the trip after missing Down Royal last week. Stellar Story, last season’s Albert Bartlett hero for Gordon Elliott, also features.
They’re joined by Joseph O’Brien’s Jordans and Thomas Gibney’s Intense Raffles, giving Ireland a potential four-strong team chasing a rare British Grade 1.
💪 The Best of the Rest
A few familiar names from the Coral Gold Cup market have Betfair Chase entries too.
Myretown — who stormed home in the Ultima at Cheltenham — and Resplendent Grey, impressive winner of both the bet365 Gold Cup and Colin Parker, could both take the plunge a week early.
And don’t overlook Mr Vango for Sara Bradstock, who bagged the Midlands National and Peter Marsh (over this course and distance) last season.
📝 Betfair Chase Entries
Beauport – Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
Ginny’s Destiny – Nicky Henderson
Grey Dawning – Dan Skelton
Haiti Couleurs – Rebecca Curtis
Handstands – Ben Pauling
Hitman – Paul Nicholls
Intense Raffles – Thomas Gibney
Jordans – Joseph O’Brien
Marsh Wren – Stuart Edmunds
Mr Vango – Sara Bradstock
Myretown – Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
Protektorat – Dan Skelton
Resplendent Grey – Olly Murphy
Royale Pagaille – Venetia Williams
Spillane’s Tower – Jimmy Mangan
Stellar Story – Gordon Elliott
