Haydock Park racecourse sees the Betfair Chase return this weekend for a huge renewal amongst a great card with multiple Class 1 contests.
There’s a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle that kicks the day off on Saturday, ahead of the Graduation Chase starring Iroko, the Stayers’ Hurdle and then at 3.05pm for the Betfair Chase featuring Grey Dawning, Royale Pagaille, Ahoy Senor, and Hewick to name a few.
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Haydock racing tips and best bets
- Handicap Hurdle
1.15: Steel Ally Each-way 8/1 (1.5pts) - Stayers’ Hurdle
2.30: Tricast/Trifecta (0.5pt) - Betfair Chase
3.05: Grey Dawning 9/4 (1pt)
Steel Ally
Looks a great hurdler for Sam Thomas, who really has caught the eye on previous runs.
His form has only been franked more and more too, after placing a neck second to Doyen Quest at Newbury in March before going close out of 20 to Helnwein at Sandown in April.
He was then placed yet again behind Lump Sum just one length off of the winner despite carrying 5lb more.
Despite not winning since February his places have been impressive and all worked out very well, which is why he’s been upped 13lb since March.
He arrives here at a nice price albeit carrying top-weight but strikes me as a gelding that can only progress further as a six-year-old especially as he’s by Doctor Dino.
Tricast
The Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle features 16 runners and could well be the best race of the day despite the other graded contests.
Doyen Quest could still be well-weighted and is the choice of stable jockey Harry Skelton over Catch Him Derry, who has Tristan Durrell up.
The latter could also still be at a dangerous weight as he was second to Gwennie May Boy and confirmed that franked form when winning two in a row since, including over this distance at Ayr in April.
He’s dangerously unexposed over these longer distances and is fresher than Doyen Quest who is set to make a quick return to the track after winning at Cheltenham last Saturday.
He’s been upped 10lb for that victory but only carries 5lb more at Haydock, so does make a solid case.
The Imposter has won nine of his last ten races over hurdles, turning his previous hurdle form around entirely having previously gone winless in his first eight.
He’s upped again but it seems he’s still getting better and better and the handicapper might not have caught up with him yet.
It’s surprising to see his price as high as it is just for the sake of him being off for 350 days.
He was a close third back in November 2022 when returning from 332 days off, all the way back when he was rated 76 – now upped 49lb in total.
Kerryhill is dangerously unexposed too despite being amongst the top-rated after being upped 13lb for a wide margin success at Doncaster in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle in January.
Makes a highly anticipated return and is one of a few that could make all which is why rather than opting for one we can put all four of Doyen Quest, Catch Him Derry, Kerryhill and The Imposter into a combination tricast/trifecta for a small stake but with a potential high reward even if it is a bit of a long shot.
Grey Dawning
The Grade 1 Betfair Chase is up next with over £100k going to the winner.
The extended 3m1f chase is a tough race and as such it attracts the best chasers, including those looking to confirm their step up to these Grade 1’s amongst some already experienced stamina-tested jumpers.
Grey Dawning is only seven-years-old but it’s his time to show what he’s capable of.
It probably couldn’t come at a better time with his trainer Dan Skelton in incredible form this season.
The grey has won three times over fences including the Turners Novices’ Chase before placing third behind Il Etait Temps at Aintree the month after.
I was keen on this horse going for the Brown Advisory due to his clear stamina ability, so it’s great to see him over 3m again and as such is an easy bet here, albeit at 9/4 which is a little bit too skinny amongst this field.
Especially for a horse that is making his reappearance for the first time up against some of the best chasers over this distance.
It’s difficult not to side with Hewick as I often do, including for the King George last year as he’s placed in the top three in each of his last two races back this season.
After placing just half a length off of Envoi Allen earlier this month, he could be once again underestimated and overpriced to show off his stamina in this.
Similarly, The Real Whacker is also a huge price who beat Bravemansgame in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall at Wetherby.
The latter of which could well improve on his second outing since a wind op.
The odds really do suggest something special from the youngest in the field, though.
And it could be helped by the ground too with rain expected on Friday and throughout Saturday to help Grey Dawning’s case and ultimately hamper Hewick’s, who has been a NR due to soft ground a couple of times before.
Tom Lunn’s Profit/Loss
- November ’24: +34.35
- From May ’24: +188.3pts
- From July ’23: +400.86pts
All odds correct at time of writing
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