Which top staying chasers could run in a blockbuster Betfair Chase? Entries for Britain's first Grade 1 of the jumps season revealed

The entries for the Betfair Chase have been revealed, with 16 horses in contention for Britain's first Grade 1 of the jumps season. Some huge names are included, here's who we could see in the Haydock feature on November 22.

The favourite

Grey Dawning was not able to win a Grade 1 in his first season in open company, but he is the red-hot favourite to avenge his defeat in this 12 months ago.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old went down on his sword when a two-length runner-up behind track specialist Royale Pagaille in bottomless conditions, before a shuddering error at the first saw him pulled up in the King George VI Chase.

He got back on track with a Listed win at Kelso and after missing the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season, he signed off with a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree's Grand National meeting.

The key rivals

Who else can you start with other than Royale Pagaille? The two-time Betfair Chase king could join the chasing greats with a hat-trick in the race.

Only Kauto Star, Cue Card and Bristol De Mai have won the race three times or more and the Venetia Williams-trained 11-year-old thrives at Haydock, with five wins there from eight starts. He was a six-and-a-half length winner of this two years ago, before he fought off Grey Dawning last year.

The up-and-coming chasers could be headed by the Ben Pauling-trained Handstands. Winner of the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase last season, he made his comeback with an odds-on defeat when second in the Colin Parker at Carlisle on Sunday.

Royale Pagaille: won last year's thrillerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Haiti Couleurs could make the step up to the highest level after being entered. The Irish Grand National winner has been declared to make his comeback in a hurdle race at Newbury on Thursday, and does have the option of the Coral Gold Cup a week later too.

Dan Skelton may be double-handed as he has also entered Protektorat alongside Grey Dawning. The 2022 winner of this race was a non-runner in Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase at the weekend.

The Irish challenge

Irish runners filled the first four places in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but none of Inothewayurthinkin, Galopin Des Champs, Gentlemansgame or Monty's Star are in contention for one of Britain's biggest staying chases. 

There is no representative at all from the Mullins stable, but there could still be a four-strong Irish challenge in a race they have only won once.

Spillane's Tower is a two-time Grade 1 winner and he was second in an epic running of the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last year. He was a late non-runner from his intended comeback in Down Royal's Champion Chase last Saturday.

Spillane's Tower: classy raider could take his chance at HaydockCredit: Seb Daly (Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Stellar Story, the 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner, has been entered by Gordon Elliott, while Joseph O'Brien has put in Jordans and Thomas Gibney Intense Raffles.

The best of the rest 

Myretown and Resplendent Grey head the betting for the Coral Gold Cup, but both have been given the option to run the week before and try their hand at Grade 1 level.

Myretown, who represents Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, emphatically won last season's Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while the Olly Murphy-trained Resplendent Grey has won the bet365 Gold Cup and Colin Parker on his last two starts.

Another eyecatching entry was Mr Vango for Sara Bradstock. The nine-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign last year with victories in the Midlands National and the Peter Marsh chase over the course and distance.

Betfair Chase entries

Beauport Nigel & Willy Twiston Davies
Ginny's Destiny Nicky Henderson
Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
Haiti Couleurs Rebecca Curtis
Handstands Ben Pauling
Hitman Paul Nicholls
Intense Raffles Thomas Gibney
Jordans Joseph O'Brien
Marsh Wren Stuart Edmunds
Mr Vango Sara Bradstock
Myretown Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
Protektorat Dan Skelton
Resplendent Grey Olly Murphy
Royale Pagaille Venetia Williams
Spillane’s Tower Jimmy Mangan
Stellar Story Gordon Elliott

Betfair Chase betting

Betfair: 11-8 Grey Dawning, 3 Spillane’s Tower, 5 Royale Pagaille, 6 Protektorat, 10 Handstands, 12 Haiti Couleurs, Mr Vango, 14 Stellar Story, 16 Resplendent Grey, 20 Beauport, Hitman, Jordans, 25 Myretown, 33 Intense Raffles, 40 Ginny’s Destiny, 50 Marsh Wren 

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