The Betfair Chase is always a focal point in the jumps season and although it doesn’t normally draw a huge field it has produced some cracking races and performances in recent years. Kauto Star landed this race four times, with Cue Card and Bristol De Mai landing a trio of wins each. Protektorat represents Dan Skelton and will be looking to add his name to the illustrious roll of honour of multiples winners of the race, having scooped the prize last year. The chief danger to him looks set to be Bravemansgame, who finished ahead of him in the Gold Cup in March and surprisingly has Daryl Jacob booked to ride for the first time.
GG writer Dan Corbally previews this years race, before giving his verdict on who he expects to come out on top.
Last year’s renewal saw Harry Skelton steer PROTEKTORAT (15/2) to an impressive victory for trainer Dan Skelton, with odds-on favourite A Plus Tard finshing pulled up after a disappointing effort:
Key Race Trends
- 10 of the last 12 winners were between 6-9 years old
- 11 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 of the betting
- 7 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Haydock, 6 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Haydock
- 11 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over 2m7f+, 7/12 winners had at least 2 wins over 2m7f+
- 7 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 run that season
Key Runners
BRAVEMANSGAME
(Paul Nicholls/Daryl Jacob)
Becoming one of the big names in this code, having finished second in the Gold Cup this year and landing the King George in 2022. Those two races will undoubtedly be his targets this season and it is interesting he pitches up here having had his pocket-picked in the Charlie Hall by Gentlemansgame. He seemed to be full of running when blundering at the last that day and connections may feel they’ve left one behind with that, with this a relatively quick turnaround with the King George in mind. Daryl Jacob takes over from Harry Cobden, which is interesting, given plenty of people thought Cobden could have sent him to win the race at an earlier stage. Paul Nicholls spoke to Racing TV to quash the doubters on his booking of Daryl Jacob, stating:
“It’s laughable what I have been reading, he (Cobden) can’t be in two places on the same day.
“He has a brilliant record on Pic D’Orhy (running at Ascot) and has got some lovely six or seven rides with chances and sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to have a reserve that can ride Bravemansgame just in case, god forbid, Harry couldn’t ride him.
“We thought Daryl was the perfect man to ride him, he has loads of experience, he has won the race three times and it suits our plans.”
PROTEKTORAT
(Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton)
The defending champion in here and this has been the aim for a while according to Dan Skelton. Third behind A Plus Tard in the 2022 Gold Cup and fifth in this year’s renewal, he’s shown he’s more than capable at the highest level and he blew this race apart by double-digits on his reappearance last year. Still only eight years of age and could still have a bit more left to give. There’s a slight concern that he had wind-surgery prior to his seasonal debut in 2019, 2021 & 2022 but there’s little doubt the Skelton team will have him cherry ripe for this assignment and he’s undoubtedly the right favourite.
CORACH RAMBLER
(Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox)
Has made his name in staying handicap chases, with back-to-back Ultima Handicap Chases victories at the Cheltenham Festival and perhaps more famously when sluicing up in the Grand National this year. Didn’t travel with any real fluency on seasonal debut at Kelso last month but that was somewhat expected, having been very cold in the market and disappointing on seasonal debut last year. This is a massive step-up quality wise, but he did take the measure of Fastorslow at Cheltenham and that rival went on to take the Punchestown Gold Cup with the 1-2 from Cheltenham in behind. He won’t struggle for stamina but it remains to be seen whether he has the quality for this level.
ROYALE PAGAILLE
(Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch)
Probably just falls short of top-class but was second in last year’s King George (first run after 263 days off) and sixth in the Gold Cup this year. Hasn’t been seen since coming down in the Irish National in April but has a good record fresh and was second behind A Plus Tard in this race in 2021. His yard are operating at a 40% strike-rate at the time of writing so any fears on that front can be put to rest, and while he’s vulnerable for win purposes, he could outrun larger odds.
Big-Race Verdict
Typically low on numbers for this field but quite an interesting race with the right horses pencilled in. However, PROTEKTORAT (6/4) rates the best option. The defending champion is likely to be cherry-ripe and prepped to near-perfection for this by Dan Skelton. He’s still young for a staying chaser and could step forward again this season. Royale Pagaille (10/1) has history in this race too and may chase the selection home. With Bravemansgame declared, he’ll give the favourite plenty to think about, but the jury is out on whether he would’ve won last time had he avoided a final-fence blunder.
SELECTION: PROTEKTORAT (6/4)
*Odds Correct At Time Of Writing – 4pm Monday 20th November*
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