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

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 36.98s

Grey Dawning²³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 166| BF| C

10/11

Quickly made up into a smart novice during 2023/24 and last-fence mistake arguably cost him the race when second to Royale Pagaille in this 12 months ago. Signed off last term with a solid second in the Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, good) and likely to make a bold bid to go one better than last year.

Form: 13/2P12-

Haiti Couleurs¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 154

3/1

Proved a revelation over fences last season, winning the National Hunt Handicap at Cheltenham prior to following up in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Successful start to this season under a big weight in a Newbury handicap hurdle and, on that evidence, he's still on an upward curve.

Form: 11311-1

Handstands²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 155| BF

4/1

Developed into a smart performer over fences last term, winning all 3 completed starts, including Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown. Didn't jump with his usual verve when failing to land the odds on return at Carlisle, but he's entitled to come on for that and better can be expected here.

Form: F111P-2

Royale Pagaille²³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 159| CD

18/1

Mud lover who has landed the last 2 runnings of this, capitalising on Grey Dawning's final-fence error when proving 2 lengths too strong for that rival 12 months ago. However, he otherwise struggled last season and, now aged 11, there's an air of vulnerability about him this time round.

Form: F/1P56P-

Stellar Story^p²⁰⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 154

14/1

Grade 1 hurdles winner who landed the odds in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown on return/chase debut last November. Placed in top-tier novice events at big spring festivals on final 2 starts of last term, but will need to find something extra if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 4/14223-

Forecasts

Grey Dawning (10/11), Haiti Couleurs (3/1), Handstands (4/1), Stellar Story (14/1), Royale Pagaille (18/1)

Given the rate of progress made by HAITI COULEURS as a novice last season, it's not hard to envisage the 8-y-o making a successful leap into the big league. Indeed, he produced a fine weight-carrying performance on his reappearance over hurdles at Newbury, leaving the strong impression that he'll have more to offer back in this sphere during the months ahead. Grey Dawning bids to atone for his unlucky defeat at the hands of Royale Pagaille in this last year and he is greatly respected.