The Betfair Chase is the first-leg of the brilliantly named “Chase Triple Crown”, and any horse that wins it and follows up in both the King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup will win their connections a £1 Million Bonus.
The race was first run in 2005, and the Grade 1 Chase is run over 3-miles and 18 fences. It may not have a very long history, but its short roll of honour Kauto Star, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Imperial Commander, with Kauto Star currently being the only horse to have won the £1 Million Bonus.
Trends
- The Colin Tizzard trained Cue Card has won 3 of the last 4 renewals
- Kauto Star won the race four-times
- Ruby Walsh has ridden 4 winners, Paddy Brennan 3
- Winners have been aged 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
- Kauto Star was the shortest-priced winner at 4/6
- Snoopy Loopy was the biggest-priced winner at 33/1
Sizing John
An attempt at the £1 Million Bonus has already been pencilled in for last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, and his high cruising speed could be an asset around this traditionally quick track. Obvious chance, but plenty short enough in the market considering connections are likely to send him straight here as he usually improves for his first run of the season.
Might Bite
Looked the real deal when winning at Cheltenham and Aintree last season, but is one of many front-runners that could line up. However, what is more off-putting is the fact he’s yet to win on any of his seasonal debuts if connections don’t give him a run beforehand.
Cue Card
Looked like age was starting to catch up with him at times last season, but he still looked brilliant when winning this for the third time. Connections know he needs a run to get him fully fit and, no matter what he does if turning up in the Charlie Hall Chase first, expect him to be spot-on for his bid to equal Kauto Star’s 4 wins in the race.
Bristol De Mai
Won his two starts at Haydock by 32-lengths and 22-lengths but, whilst the 6-year-old could still have plenty of improvement to come, those wins were in much slower times than Cue Card won previous renewals of this race in.
Coneygree
The former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was well-fancied to win last year’s renewal, but finished 15-lengths behind Cue Card in second. However, possibly not suited by the heavy ground that day having not run for over a year, he could get closer this time around.
Tea For Two
Put in the best performance of his career in April when beating Cue Card by a neck, dispelling the theory that he could only win going right-handed. Could be a player this year as he reaches full maturity, but was well-beaten at Haydock over hurdles on his only previous visit; and was favourite that day.
Thistlecrack
Last year’s King George winner would have probably been sent-off favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, however his trainer (also Cue Card’s trainer) has suggested that his prep run before his defence of his King George Title may be over hurdles.
Summary
This will be a fascinating renewal if all the principles turn-up, and ante-post favourite Sizing john could easily step up to the plate in search of the £1 Million Bonus. However, the ageing Cue Card looks to have been priced-up on his poor runs of last season rather than his record in this race, and he looks the ante-post value at this stage; with room for his price to shorten if he wins his prep race.
Tip: Cue Card Each-Way @