The jumps season rolls up the M6 this weekend to Haydock Park for the first Grade One of the season in the form of the Betfair Chase.
The winning prize money of one hundred and sixteen thousand pounds has ensured a star-studded declaration of Nine on Thursday morning, with Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning heading the market at 9/4.
Last year’s Turners winner is the model of consistency, finishing in the places in all but one of his thirteen starts under rules and he makes for a worthy favourite. However, favourite backers beware. Only three favourites have won the race in the last twelve renewals.
Eleven of the twelve previous winners of the Betfair Chase have been either first, second or third favourite in the market. Only Cue Card winning at 9/1 in 2013 returned a bigger price than 15/2. Punters looking for outside value and double figure prices need not apply here.
Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore have been talking up Ahoy Senor’s 6/1 chances in the media, with references to his improved jumping and a desire to ride him differently to previous campaigns where he was always raced forward. The nine-year old’s career has been littered with inconsistent jumping performances, none more so than when taking a tumble as he was seemingly tanking along in front in the 2023 Gold Cup.
The fact that Ahoy Senor once again has an entry for the Gold Cup in March, after dodging the contest last year in favourof the Ryanair and spending the majority of the season carrying top weight in handicaps might suggest that his trainers’ comments aren’t all hot air. His strong finish in his seasonal re-appearance at his beloved Aintree in October was eye catching and should be an ideal preparation for this contest. His stamina and engine has always been his strength and so Haydock, with its galloping track and long run in should suit.
The next three in the market are all Irish contenders, the most notable of which is Willie Mullins’ Capodanno 9/1 who has been supplemented for the race by owner JP McManus at the eleventh hour.
Soon to be banned Shark Hanlon saddles King George winner Hewick 10/1 and the in-form Gavin Cromwell runs last year’s Mares Chase winner Limerick Lace 9/1, who will need to use every bit of her seven-pound allowance on the ruthless Haydock run in.
Verdict:Â
1st Ahoy Senor
2nd Capodanno
3rd Grey Dawning