Betfair Chase |
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| Grade 1, Haydock Park 15:00 £200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 1f 125y, Class 1  |
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French trainer Gabriel Leenders is eyeing more British success with Gold Tweet on Saturday.
Leenders, based in Les Landes, enjoyed Cheltenham glory when Gold Tweet won the Cleeve Hurdle in 2023 and experienced similar joy last weekend when Sweet David triumphed in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
Gold Tweet has switched between hurdles and fences in France and is now stepping up to larger obstacles, having prepared with two runs over shorter trips. “Everything is very good with him; this race has always been his target,” Leenders said. “We’re really happy with him and looking forward to bringing him over; he’s been in good form at home. All the lights are green now for the race.”
⬇️ 9 Confirmations for the Grade 1 Betfair Chase @haydockraces on Saturday:
— Jake Price (@JakePriceRacing) November 18, 2024
Ahoy Senor
Bravemansgame
Gold Tweet
Grey Dawning 🎥
Hewick
Minella Drama
Royal Pagaille
The Real Whacker
Limerick Lace
❌ NO CORBETTS CROSS.pic.twitter.com/1UDtD9ER68
Also confirmed is Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, who showcased his talent at the Cheltenham Festival by staying on to beat Ginny’s Destiny in the Turners Novices’ Chase. Grey Dawning, who opened his account over fences at this meeting a year ago, has not raced since finishing third at the Grand National fixture in April. Skelton is pleased with his condition, saying, “Grey Dawning has been for a racecourse gallop and did very well. He needs to be ready against more seasoned and better horses first time up, and I fully believe he is as ready as he can be.”
Defending champion Royale Pagaille, who won the feature race ahead of Bravemansgame last year, is set to defend his title after falling in the Cotswold Chase in January. Bravemansgame, trained by Paul Nicholls, is also on the list. Nicholls stated, “I’ve confirmed Bravesmansgame for the Betfair Chase. It looks like we’ll have mixed weather this week, but Saturday could be very wet. We’ll keep an eye on the forecast and hope for some proper rain.”
Hewick, last year’s King George hero trained by Shark Hanlon, will be race-fit after finishing third at Punchestown in October and a close second to Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal. Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall winner The Real Whacker, Minella Drama (Donald McCain), Limerick Lace (Gavin Cromwell), and Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor, who finished third in the Old Roan at Aintree, are all confirmed entries.
The field is rounded out by Willie Mullins’ supplementary entry, Capodanno.
Betfair Chase (registered as the Lancashire Chase)
£200,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 1f 125y, Class 1
10 remaining entries
Going: Good
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 4362-3 Ahoy Senor 9 11-10 Lucinda Russell
2 2256-2 Bravemansgame 9 11-10 Paul Nicholls
3 3140-8 Capodanno 8 11-10 W P Mullins
4 31-645 Gold Tweet 7 11-10 Gabriel Leenders
5 12113- Grey Dawning 7 11-10 Dan Skelton
6 6-3232 Hewick 9 11-10 John Joseph Hanlon
7 372P-1 Minella Drama 9 11-10 Donald McCain
8 6F/1F- Royale Pagaille 10 11-10 Venetia Williams
9 2P5-U1 The Real Whacker 8 11-10 Patrick Neville
10 12110- Limerick Lace 7 11-3 Gavin Cromwell
