November 25 / 15.00 Haydock

15.00

Soft

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

  • Prize money: £112540
  • 3m 1f 125y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
ITV
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Betfair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00

Form: 5/26F- CD

Last run: 229 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
The positives are the form of his stable and being well suited to Haydock, his career-best performances coming when winning the Peter Marsh Handicap here (3m1f, heavy/soft) in 2021 and 2022; however, he's never really threatened in Grade 1 races (well-beaten second in this two years ago).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Royale Pagaille

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Five-time course winner including this race in 2021 and 2022 and the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024; reappeared with fine second in that Grade 1 here 56 days ago (good to soft); struggled last season after his reappearance win but this 12yo could have a big say if backing up his latest effort.

13/2

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

Form: 1123-2 C BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 172

Form & Verdict
Superb campaign last season, winning the King George at Kempton (3m, soft) prior to an excellent second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m2f, soft); runner-up on reappearance in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (3m, soft) three weeks ago but still ran well and shaped as though he'd improve for the outing; won on sole visit to Haydock; the one to beat if at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

3rd

5

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Bravemansgame

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, disputed lead from 5th

5/2

Form: 5411-5 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Won the Ultima at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in March for the second year running and followed up in the Grand National (4m2f, soft); idled in front each time which suggests he could have more left in the tank form-wise, and his comeback defeat at Kelso last month is of little concern given his previous reappearance record; however, he needs a clear career best today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st May 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 213y

17:25 Punchestown

Corach Rambler

11st 10lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in last, detached when pecked on landing and pushed along briefly 12th, reminders after 5 out

9/1

4

1st May 2024

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 213y

17:25 Punchestown

Corach Rambler

11st 10lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in last, detached when pecked on landing and pushed along briefly 12th, reminders after 5 out

9/1

7

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Corach Rambler

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

Sole run on heavy was a win on rules debut; tasted success at two Cheltenham Festivals, coming from well off the pace, before the even sweeter prize of this race last year when he was never far away and had zero alarms before some idling in front after grabbing total control at the final fence (much earlier than usual); last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup (soft) seemed to show the ceiling of his ability, when it looked exceedingly hard work for him from the final fence, but that was while finishing an excellent third with career-best form; 13lb higher than last year but still well in and should go well if the Gold Cup did not make him dig too deep.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4/145- CD

Last run: 253 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 166

Form & Verdict
Not quite at his best at Cheltenham on final two runs last season; benefited from A Plus Tard flopping when winning this race on reappearance last year (soft) but was nevertheless impressive on the back of wind surgery and he returns this season having had another wind op; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Protektorat

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender.

15/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat.

1/8

1st

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms.

8/11

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £9.63
Trifecta £27.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bravemansgame

The Guardian:

Protektorat

Daily Mirror:

Royale Pagaille

RP RATINGS:

Bravemansgame

TOPSPEED:

Bravemansgame

POSTDATA:

Bravemansgame

WEST COUNTRY:

Bravemansgame

The Times:

Bravemansgame

Telegraph:

Bravemansgame

Daily Mail:

Bravemansgame

D Express:

Bravemansgame

Daily Record:

Bravemansgame

The Sun:

Protektorat

The Star:

Protektorat