Betfair Chase: Runners, odds and a verdict for Saturday’s feature event 🤩

The Betfair Chase takes place at Haydock on Saturday and it’s one of the highlights of the calendar. Despite the fact that the race has cut up significantly this year, it’ll still be a race to savour. We’ll provide all the information you need to know about each of the four runners and give you a verdict for the big race. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

1. Bravemansgame

Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old was an impressive winner of the King George in December and announced himself as one of the best staying chasers in training. He followed that up with a valiant second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and clearly possesses plenty of ability. A tad disappointing at Wetherby last time out, he was second to an an Irish raider, after a shuddering error at the last fence.

2. Corach Rambler

Lucinda Russell’s Grand National hero is also a two-time Cheltenham Festival winner. This is his first Grade 1 and the ratings suggest he has almost a stone to find with Bravemansgame here. If the race turns into a real stamina test, that would obviously suit him but he looks vulnerable from a win point of view. The drying ground will be a help to him as he wouldn’t want it too soft.

3. Protektorat

He won this race impressively last year but his main rival was never travelling and it was hardly a stellar renewal once A Plus Tard was out of it. Dan Skelton’s charge will be praying the ground doesn’t dry out any further as this horse is much more effective on testing ground. Course and distance form can be vital here and that will certainly stand him in good stead.

4. Royale Pagaille

Connections will be praying the ground doesn’t continue to dry out, as his chances are dramatically increased by testing ground. This horse has an excellent record of three wins and a second in four starts at Haydock. That includes two impressive Peter Marsh Chase wins over course and distance, one of which came off a mark of 163. The Venetia Williams yard is in great form and he should go well.

Verdict

Bravemansgame has a major fitness advantage over Protektorat, especially as Dan Skelton’s runners seem to be needing their first runs. Nicholls’ charge is the best horse in the race according to the handicapper and the drying ground is a big plus. Anything other than a win here would be disappointing.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.