The Betfair Steeplechase, established in 2005, is held annually in November at Haydock Racecourse. This Grade 1 race is open to horses aged five and older, covering a distance of three miles and one and a half furlongs, with competitors facing nineteen fences along the course.
Betfair Chase Odds & Runners
7
5
1
9
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4
8Betfair Chase Racecard
Betfair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) (GBB Race)
Grey Dawning has to be respected on his return to action following a very successful novice campaign, but he could be vulnerable in this company without a prep run. With that in mind, preference is for HEWICK, who improved on his comeback performance when narrowly denied by Envoi Allen at Down Royal earlier in the month. Last season's King George winner went on to finish third in a top-class renewal of the Punchestown Gold Cup in May and is arguably the one to beat on that form. Royale Pagaille cannot be discounted having taken this contest 12 months ago, while Bravemansgame should not be written off in first-time blinkers.
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Betfair Chase Overview
The Betfair Steeplechase is a Grade 1 race, run over nearly three and a quarter miles, featuring nineteen fences and offering a first prize of around £110,000. Held in late autumn at Haydock racecourse, the race often takes place on soft or heavy ground, demanding a horse well-suited for such conditions. Last season, Royal Pagaille surprised many by outlasting the odds-on favourite, Bravemansgame.
Often regarded as a Gold Cup trial, the Betfair Chase serves as a key stepping stone for horses targeting the Cheltenham Festival in spring. Notable Cheltenham winners, including Kauto Star, Imperial Commander, Protektorat, and A Plus Tard, have all competed in this race as part of their path to subsequent success.
Betfair Chase Betting Trends and Statistics
Paul Nicholls holds the title of leading trainer in the Betfair Steeplechase, with six victories – four from Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011) and two from Silviniaco Conti (2012 and 2014). Nigel Twiston-Davies is the only other trainer to have multiple wins in the race, with four wins to his name. The leading jockey is Daryl Jacob, who has triumphed with Bristol De Mai in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Wetherby Racecourse has produced the most Betfair Steeplechase winners, with seven horses competing there prior to their victories. Aintree follows as the second most successful course in producing winners. Competing in the Betfair Chase demands proven chasing ability, as reflected in the impressive list of past winners who have conquered its challenging fences.
Betfair Chase History
Established in 2005, the Betfair Chase initially launched as part of a bonus initiative called the Betfair Million, with Betfair offering a £1,000,000 prize for top performances in two subsequent races. Originally, the Betfair Million prize was awarded if the winner of the Betfair Chase also triumphed in both the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Lexus Chase was later added as an alternative second leg, and in 2006–07, Kauto Star claimed the bonus by following the original path.
The format shifted in 2008–09, with the bonus now awarded to any horse finishing in the top three in the Betfair Chase, placing first or second at the Cheltenham Festival, and then winning the Grand National. This version of the Betfair Million was discontinued the following year.
In 2015, the £1,000,000 prize returned as the “Chase Triple Crown,” offered by Jockey Club Racecourses to any horse that won the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase, and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Cue Card came close in the 2015–16 season, winning the first two legs but falling during the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Since 2016, the Kauto Star Trophy has been awarded to any horse completing the Chase Triple Crown.
While commonly known as the Betfair Chase, its registered name is the Lancashire Chase, and it serves as the first Grade 1 event of the British National Hunt season. Initially run over approximately three miles, the distance was extended in 2017 to provide a longer run from the start to the first bend.
Betfair Chase Winners
Betfair Chase FAQ
Who won the Betfair Chase in 2023?
Royal Pagaille won the race in 2023 and gave Venetia Williams a first-ever success as a trainer in it. He stayed on dourly in the closing stages on bottomless ground to grind out a win over the well-backed favourite Bravemansgame.
What is the prize money for the Betfair Chase?
The race is worth around £100,000 to the winning connections.
When is the Betfair Chase?
The Betfair Chase usually falls on the last Saturday of November. Because of where it lies in the calendar, the ground is often soft or worse.
How many fences are in the Betfair Chase?
There are nineteen fences to be jumped in the Betfair Steeplechase.
How many horses race in the Betfair Chase?
Field sizes are usually quite small for this race, which is disappointing. The average amount of runners that line up in this particular race is approximately six.
Which horses are eligible for the Betfair Chase?
The race is open to any horse aged five or over.
