Weekend Preview - Betfair Chase

The Weekend Preview
By Red

Red looks forward towards the big races at Ascot and Haydock, including the BetFair Chase and the return of Vautour.

It's the Betfair Chase this weekend, but before we address the race itself, let's look at the pressing issue here. Why on God's Earth are there only five runners lining up for this? It's a Grade One with the potential of a million pound bonus for crying out loud! It's really disappointing to see and it shoots down the potential of the Triple Crown before it's even started. Because no offense to any of these, but they are not going to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, are they? I know Haydock is not the best track when it gets soft and I suppose some of the top class horses will prefer better ground, but why are there no Irish entries? Why have they all gone for the Hennessy? It must be disappointing for the Jockey Club as well, having dangled this carrot, for only five runners to take part. Anyway, rant over, let's get down to the business.

As I said, only five declared for the main event at Haydock on Saturday, including previous winners Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card. All these five will know each other pretty well, and they'll have run against each other a fair few times. If you look at the form against each other, Conti should come out on top. The only blip on his record is finishing behind Holywell in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and we know that Conti doesn't go well there. Holywell will probably want firmer ground and I'm quite happy to discount him for this. I think he's more of a spring horse and this will be too muddy for him. The other two, both for David Pipe, are Ballynagour and Dynaste. Like Holywell, they were both behind Cue Card in the Charlie Hall Chase and although they will like the ground, I think they will both struggle to beat Conti and Cue Card. Paul Nicholls has a terrific record in this race, with both Conti and Kauto Star in the past and that will be part of the reason why his horse is the favourite. 
But I fancy CUE CARD to overturn the odds. Why? Because at his height, he was a better horse than Conti has been. And he ran very well in the Charlie Hall, suggesting that getting back to his best is not beyond him. And if he does, then he will be a tough nut to crack. At 3/1 (best odds) I'd much rather be on Cue Card, than on Silviniaco Conti at 5/6 (best odds).

Elsewhere on the card, the Fixed Brush Hurdle (2.25) is a tricky contest, but Our Kaempfer could go pretty well for Noel Fehily and Charlie Longsdon. Before that in the 1.50 Top Notch will return for Nicky Henderson and his only defeat comes courtesy of Peace and Co at the Festival and he could go well here. Finally in the 12.40 keep an eye out for King of the Wolds for Malcolm Jefferson, who is an interesting running.

Meanwhile over at Ascot, Vautour makes his re-appearance and even if he isn't fully tuned up, he should have too much for this field. Ptit Zig is a horse I really rate, but having to concede five lbs to Vautour will be a neigh on impossible job and I fancy Willie Mullins' superstar to win this. In the following race, Brother Tedd could well shock Rock On Ruby. The former has already just taken the scalp of Silviniaco Conti in a hurdles race and although that was only a tune up for the latter, he was impressive nonetheless. 
On Sunday Douvan and Augusta Kate are out over at Navan and both should be well supported. Douvan is a fascinating recruit to chasing and with him already being the hot favourite for the Arkle, he'll be well watched by a lot of people.