15:05 Haydock

Saturday 23 November 2024

All12:0812:4013:1513:5014:3015:0515:40

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

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 7m 7.20s

Ahoy Senor²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 169

8/1

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.

Form: P4362-3

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Bravemansgame^b1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| BF| C

8/1

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.

Form: 22256-2

Capodanno^t²⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159

20/1

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.

Form: 631408-

Gold Tweet^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: G Meunier| T: G Leenders| OR: 149

10/1

Smart French chaser but seems better over hurdles (winner of the Cleeve Hurdle in 2022/23) and looks up against it at this level.

Form: 131-645

Grey Dawning²²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 157| BF| C

15/8

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.

Form: 312113-

Royale Pagaille³⁰¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 165| CD

11/4

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.

Form: 526F/1F-

Limerick Lace²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 153| BF

13/2

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.

Form: 3/12110-

Non-Runners

Hewick²¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: J J Hanlon J: G Sheehan

The Real Whacker²¹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: P Neville J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Grey Dawning (15/8), Royale Pagaille (11/4), Limerick Lace (13/2), Bravemansgame (8/1), Ahoy Senor (8/1), Gold Tweet (10/1), Hewick (10/1), The Real Whacker (14/1), Capodanno (20/1)

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 the shortlist.