Betfair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Lancashire Chase)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 29.2s

Bristol De Mai²²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 165| CD

13/2

Course record is 3-3 and trounced the opposition on heavy ground in this race last year. This is his Gold Cup, so he will be ready, but he will need significant rain before the off if he is to have his best chance of a repeat success.

Form: 5/11632-

Clan Des Obeaux²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 157| C

11/1

Won the graduation chase on this card last year (2m5½f, heavy). Matched that effort at Aintree in April, when 10½L behind Might Bite and 3L behind Bristol De Mai. Open to improvement over this trip, and will need some to win at this level.

Form: 14/2123-

Might Bite²²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 172

1/1

Outstanding chaser, whose previous quirks were less evident when winning last year's King George, and when 4½L second to Native River in the Gold Cup. Another great effort to bounce back at Aintree in April. Best on good/good to soft. Strong claims.

Form: 11/1121-

Native River^p²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 176| D

5/2

Hard as nails chaser, who has progressed right to the top of the tree in the past two seasons. Acts on most ground, though ideally wants some ease in it to be at his best. Won't be beaten for guts and this Gold Cup winner should be the one to beat.

Form: 1113/11-

Thistlecrack³³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 165

10/1

Stellar stayer over hurdles and fences at his best, having won the World Hurdle and King George in 2016. Not easy to get him to the racecourse since. Serious player if he can match his best, but this is a tough race in which to have points to prove.

Form: 1112/54-

Forecasts

Might Bite (1/1), Native River (5/2), Bristol De Mai (13/2), Thistlecrack (10/1), Clan Des Obeaux (11/1)

Last year's winner Bristol De Mai does not have his preferred testing ground this time, but his record at this venue is very impressive and his trainer loves nothing better than proving the doubters wrong in big races. That makes him dangerous to take on, but the going forecast does make him vulnerable. Nicky Henderson has been bullish about the fitness of MIGHT BITE, and the drying ground is more to his liking than his chief rival Native River. The pair served up a memorable Gold Cup in March and with no hill to climb in soft ground this time, the former might just be able to turn the tables on his doughty opponent.