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Much more behind the Betfair Chase's poor numbers than the entry system
It is a sign of the times that much of the talk surrounding Britain's first Grade 1 of the season on Saturday has centred on the small field.
A maximum of five runners for the Betfair Chase at Haydock is undeniably disappointing and it has even prompted Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright to say the track would be open to considering scrapping the early closing system in a bid to boost numbers.
The truth is the race has never really caught on as a popular early-season target, even in the days of the Jockey Club's £1 million triple crown bonus. The biggest turnout in its 17-year history was nine runners, when Silviniaco Conti won in 2014.
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