'He's been overlooked in the betting' - why this horse can win the Betfair Chase plus tips for Saturday's other big races
The Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock) is the main event on Saturday as Bravemansgame, bidding to bounce back from defeat in the Charlie Hall, takes on last year's winner Protektorat in the first Grade 1 of the British jumps season.
Is it a two-horse race or can Royale Pagaille and Corach Rambler make their presence felt? Our top tipsters from the Racing Post Weekender have their say below, and give their best bets for some of Saturday's other big races . . .
Bravemansgame
Forecast odds: 4-5
By James Hill
Protektorat had a hard race in the Gold Cup when last seen. His yard’s not in the best of form either and, with the weather set fair, I would expect Bravemansgame to go off the clear favourite.
He’s 6lb clear of his main rival on official ratings, will have come on for his second in the Charlie Hall last time and has also won at this meeting before. I’ll select Royale Pagaille to win the battle for third spot as I don’t think this is really Corach Rambler’s time of year.
By Stuart Redding
Bravemansgame can prove his recent Wetherby second was nothing more than a temporary setback by adding another Grade 1 to his already impressive record.
The eight-year-old lost little in defeat last month, going down by less than two lengths against Gentlemansgame who was carrying 6lb less and had the benefit of a recent run.
Protektorat would be a huge threat if back to the level he produced when winning this 12 months ago but two subsequent efforts weren’t quite as good.
Royale Pagaille
Forecast odds: 7-1
By Robbie Wilders
I don’t like playing at short prices and would sooner back Royale Pagaille at the current odds. The nine-year-old has surely been overlooked in the betting given his outstanding record at the course when the mud flies.
A remote second in the 2021 Betfair Chase behind A Plus Tard first time out when the ground was on the fast side, Royale Pagaille’s three trips to Haydock on soft or heavy going have yielded a runaway novice chase success and two triumphs in the Peter Marsh off top weight, one off a mark of 156 and one off 163.
Racing Post Ratings of 171 in each put him in touching distance of Bravemansgame and Protektorat, and Venetia Williams’ horses are absolutely flying.
By Sam Hardy
I am going to take on the market principals in this race with Royale Pagaille. Bravemansgame's run last time out when runner-up was far from ideal, while Protektorat beat very little in last season’s race.
Royale Pagaille runs his best races at Haydock with three of his four chase wins coming here including two course-and-distance wins when landing back-to-back Peter Marsh Chases off top weight.
Protektorat
Forecast odds: 9-4
By James Burn
Protektorat can star for Dan and Harry Skelton 12 months after his breakout victory. He was sensational last year and relished the testing conditions, which gives him the advantage over Bravemansgame, who might prefer a sounder surface.
Protektorat goes well fresh and has been well beaten in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, so, if he is going to win a big one, this could be it. With that in mind, expect connections to have him primed to perfection.
Claim £40 in Paddy Power free bets
Get £40 in free bets from Paddy Power for Haydock
What about the rest of Saturday's cards at Ascot and Haydock?
Gaillard Du Mesnil
1.50 Haydock: Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase, 2m5½f
By James Burn
Willie Mullins and Haydock do not exactly go together like bread and butter, but Gaillard Du Mesnil has a cracking chance. A smashing third in April’s Grand National, he won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last season, but is not just a slow boat and has a touch of class, which he showed when second to Bob Olinger in the 2021 Ballymore.
Theatre Glory
2.05 Ascot: Coral Hurdle, 2m3½f
By James Hill
Goshen came out on top when he and Theatre Glory met at Sandown last April, but that was over 2m5½f, and I’m not sure the result would have been the same if the race had been over two furlongs shorter, as is the case here. Gary Moore’s seven-year-old is a crowd favourite, but he didn’t run any sort of race in the Cesarewitch last month and Theatre Glory has a good record fresh.
Bold Endeavour
2.20 Haydock: Betfair "Serial Winners" Stayers' Handicap Hurdle, 3m½f
By Sam Hardy
Nicky Henderson’s Bold Endeavour has to give weight away all round but should have the class to beat this field if carrying on the improvement he has made since switching back to hurdles last season. The Henderson team are in flying form and enjoyed a few big-race winners at Cheltenham last weekend. A big run can be expected from another stable star.
Boothill
3.15 Ascot: Jim Barry Hurst Park Handicap Chase, 2m1f
By Stuart Redding
Boothill made it 3-3 in handicap chases with a convincing win over course and distance three weeks ago and has every chance of adding another one. That was a career-best as he eased clear when Jonathan Burke asked.
Grab a £40 Paddy Power free bet for Haydock and Ascot this weekend
We've already mentioned that Paddy Power are offering £40 in free bets for Haydock and Ascot at the weekend.
Well, you can follow these simple steps outlined below to grab your £40 free bet to place on the big races. It's fast, secure and straightforward.
- Head over to Paddy Power through this link and click the 'Join' button on their homepage
- Create your username and password
- Make a deposit of £10 or more using a card and place a bet on a sportsbook market with odds of 1-2 or greater
- You will be rewarded with £40 of free bet tokens added to your balance
Paddy Power betting sign-up offer: terms and conditions
It's worth taking a few minutes to read through the terms and conditions associated with the new player promotion before signing up. Doing so will help you get a better grasp of the details of the weekend betting offer and what's expected of you as a new player.
- New UK & ROI customers only
- Minimum deposit £10 bet at minimum odds of 1-2 to qualify
- Get £40 in free bets, valid for 30 days
- SMS verification required
- Bets placed on greyhound racing markets are excluded
- Only deposits via cards will qualify
Read these next:
Who will win the 2023 Betfair Chase at Haydock based on previous trends?
Get set for the jumps! Join Members' Club now with 50% off
Do you want £400+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.
Copy- Spotlight Lucky 15 tips: four horses to back on Thursday
- Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's seven meetings
- Cracking the Premier puzzle with David Jennings' tips for each of the six races live on ITV on Thursday
- The Punt Acca: Liam Headd with three selections on day two of York's Dante meeting on Thursday
- Thursday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiple bets
- Spotlight Lucky 15 tips: four horses to back on Thursday
- Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's seven meetings
- Cracking the Premier puzzle with David Jennings' tips for each of the six races live on ITV on Thursday
- The Punt Acca: Liam Headd with three selections on day two of York's Dante meeting on Thursday
- Thursday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiple bets