Haydock open to changing Betfair Chase entry system with just five left in race

Haydock would be willing to consider changing the early-closing status of the Betfair Chase, according to clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright, after just five possible runners were left in the race at Monday's forfeit stage.

The scratching of Royale Pagaille means Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard, who pleased trainer Henry de Bromhead in a schooling session on Monday, will face a maximum of four rivals, although the race did receive a significant boost when Britain's champion trainer Paul Nicholls declared Frodon, winner of the Badger Beer Handicap Chase this month, an "intended runner".

Gold Cup third Protektorat, three-time Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai and Eldorado Allen complete Saturday's potential line-up with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity, which is often the case. First run in 2005, the Betfair Chase attracted its biggest field of nine in 2014, while the smallest field was just four runners in 2019.