Dan Skelton has revealed plans for one of his stable stars this week, as the entries for the Betfair Chase have been revealed.
It’s that time of year when we begin to see the big guns rolling out, and the Betfair Chase is one of those early-season races that consistently gets the juices flowing, and of course, plenty of Cheltenham chat in the aftermath!
Usually, a small field race, and it still could be, we’ve got 16 entries for the Grade One at Haydock later this month. Grey Dawning is amongst those, and the current antepost favourite for the race, which takes place on Saturday, November 22.
Second in the race last year, when coming out of novice company for the first time, can he go one better, and in doing so, can he become a genuine Gold Cup contender?
Skelton Hoping Grey Dawning Matures into Gold Cup Contender
The hope from Dan Skelton is that his horse can improve and can challenge in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He faded on bad ground in last season’s Betfair Chase, with Royale Pagaille overtaking him at the final flight to win his second Betfair Chase in a row.
That horse will be back here again hopefully, also in the entries, and so is Protektorat, who won the race in 2022, so there’s plenty of previous Haydock form, if they take their place in the line-up.
The betting does side with Skelton’s charge, though. Grey Dawning has been installed as the favourite at 11/8. Behind him, Irish runner Spillane’s Tower, while Royale Pagaille is third favourite.
But what about the Gold Cup? Well, he’s going to have to prove he stays, for me. After finishing second in this last season, he was pulled up in the King George, won the Premier Chase at Kelso and then finished second in the Aintree Bowl.
I don’t blame them for skipping the Gold Cup last year. I think that was a wise move, but there aren’t many other places he can prove he stays before going there.
If you look back at last season, the Gold Cup was won by Inothewayurthinkin with Galopin Des Champs back in second place. The one thing they both have in common, apart from being top-quality horses? They both stay the 3m2f trip incredibly well.
Hopes for a Big Field in First Triple Crown Leg
The Betfair Chase is a huge race, I think everyone respects it, but we’ve seen year after year, the field is often a small one. Last year, we looked like having a decent field, with nine original declared at the 48-hour stage, but the ground meant that it was lowered to seven at the start of the race.
This is despite it also being the first leg of the jumps racing triple crown, which has a big prize pot attached to it.
From here, we’ve got the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and Kempton, and lastly, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
But things could be a lot better this season. We’ve still got a few weeks until the race, and of course, like it always does, the ground is going to play a massive part in any race at Haydock. There is hope, though. 16 is a strong number to have at this stage, and double figures is certainly a possibility.
It may not be the highest quality Betfair Chase we’ve ever had, but when we get there, more runners are certainly a positive all around.