Ten runners were confirmed to potentially provide the biggest field in the Betfair Chase in recent years on Saturday, 23rd November. Eight runners in 2014 has been the largest field size in the past decade of the race’s history, but there is greater interest across the UK and Ireland this time around.
Ante-post favourite Grey Dawning is among them. Dan Skelton’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner has not been seen since finishing third at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, but has long been aimed at this race. The dashing grey has proven an expert in tough conditions and may relish this test.
Defending champion Royale Pagaille could also feature once again. The ten-year-old has an outstanding record at Haydock for Venetia Williams and goes well fresh, though has fallen on two of his previous three starts either side of his win here.
There was an Irish victory in 2021 when A Plus Tard sauntered in. There are three potential representatives from across the Irish Sea in 2024 with King George winner Hewick and Cheltenham Mares’ Chase heroine Limerick Lace among the confirmations. There was also a supplementary entry for Capodanno, who carries the same JP McManus colours as Limerick Lace, and is trained by Willie Mullins. There was no runner from Ireland a year ago.
Scottish handler Lucinda Russell adds another of the home nations’ hopes to the fray with Ahoy Senor poised to line up. The nine-year-old has never run at Haydock, but loves conditions at nearby Aintree, while England’s ranks are bolstered further by 2023 Betfair Chase runner-up Bravemansgame, his Charlie Hall conqueror The Real Whacker and recent Old Roan Chase winner Minella Drama.
Lastly, there is also continental interest, with Gold Tweet an intended runner for Gabriel Leenders, who sent out Sweet David to win the cross country handicap at Cheltenham at the weekend. Gold Tweet won the Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day at Prestbury Park in 2023, but has been running predominantly over fences since the spring of that year.
In terms of absences, the most significant names to have been removed from the contest are National Hunt Chase winner Corbetts Cross, who had looked a likely runner before Monday’s confirmations, and Kim Bailey’s progressive Chianti Classico, another Festival winner in 2024.
Betfair Chase 2024 Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Ahoy Senor | Lucinda Russell |
| 2 | Bravemansgame | Paul Nicholls |
| 3 | Capodanno | Willie Mullins |
| 4 | Gold Tweet | Gabriel Leenders |
| 5 | Grey Dawning | Dan Skelton |
| 6 | Hewick | Shark Hanlon |
| 7 | Minella Drama | Donald McCain |
| 8 | Royale Pagaille | Venetia Williams |
| 9 | The Real Whacker | Patrick Neville |
| 10 | Limerick Lace | Gavin Cromwell |