Haydock Saturday

Betfair Chase (Grade 1)

THE 2025 renewal of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase saw last year’s principals clash again, but with a different result.

Grey Dawning (Dan/Harry Skelton) just couldn’t get past Royale Pagaille (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) in a gruelling contest, but this time the grey always travelled a little better and, although the dual winner gave his all in a return to form, he never looked like shaking off his old rival, who stalked him travelling easily until going to the front shortly after the last fence for a facile two and three-quarter-length win.

Stellar Story (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) never threatened before staying for third, another 11 lengths away.

Haiti Couleurs was touted as a possible Gold Cup contender before and after winning over hurdles on his return, but he was badly found wanting upped markedly in class, never jumping or travelling as he did when winning the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Dan Skelton said: “Grey Dawning did everything we expected and more today. I was getting flashbacks to Protektorat two years ago. I thought he was going to put up a big performance today and he did just that.

“We are going down the Gold Cup route. He definitely stays the trip. He just got in a muddle after he ran here last year as he had such a hard race.

“He hasn’t had such a hard race today and we can just plan it out. He will have one run in between but is going to the Gold Cup.”

Hunter sparks treble for Gordons

Haydock’s card on Saturday started with the Grade 2 Newton Novices’ Hurdle, a race with a poor record for throwing up future stars.

Aside from subsequent Tolworth winner Tahmuras, none of the winners in the last decade managed to win their next race, and those who made it to Cheltenham in March failed to make the frame.

The latest to pick up that poison chalice was Diamond Hunter (Chris/Freddie Gordon), but the 12/1 chance’s victory is unlikely to cause too much anxiety in the Gordon household, and of more import is that he was kicking off a treble on the card for the father/son combination.

Diamond Hunter failed to win in points, but made it two from two under Rules by beating Masked Man (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies/J J Slevin) and Sticktotheplan (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen) by a length and three-quarters and three and three-quarter lengths.

Diamond Hunter has no specific targets with Chris Gordon pointing out that he’s a “big, strong six-year-old” whose future lies over fences next season.

THE Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase has an illustrious roll of honour which includes chasing stars Clan Des Obeaux, Politologue, Bravemansgame and Grey Dawning, and the latest renewal didn’t disappoint.

It was the 8/11 favourite The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) remaining unbeaten over fences with a near-flawless jumping performance that saw him beat Iroko (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero/Jonjo O’Neill Jr) by a comfortable two and a half lengths, despite assurances before and after the race from his trainer that he badly needed the run, and will improve.

The winner was soon in front and gained ground at most of the fences as he continued an upward curve that saw him win the John Francome at Newbury and Kempton’s Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in an injury-affected first season over fences.

The strapping son of Ask has always been an embryonic chaser on looks and is now destined to take on the best around in the King George back at Sunbury Park on Boxing Day.

“That was brilliant,” said a delighted Pauling after the race. “He’s got this amazing way of attacking fences - short or long, he’s quick and he’s in and out.

“It was really good, and he’ll come on a bundle for it and all being well it sets us up perfectly for a few weeks’ time. This horse is made for Kempton - he’s got speed, stamina and jumps for fun.”

Rest of the card

Kabral Du Mathan (Dan/Harry Skelton) was all the rage for the two miles two and a half furlong Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle, and the 6/5 favourite impressed as he stretched clear of his rivals to win by 12 lengths in what had looked quite a competitive race.

This was his first run for Skelton, having left Paul Nicholls, and his first after wind surgery and he looked an improved performer in defying a mark of 140 with ease. Raised a stone after this, he’s likely to step up in class for the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham next with Skelton testing the waters to see if he might develop into a Stayers’ Hurdle contender.

David’s Well and Electric Mason were the second and third legs of a treble for Chris and Freddie Gordon, with the latter riding out his claim in the process. 17/2 chance Electric Mason won a typically strong Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle in a tight finish with Hartington (Joe Tizzard/Sean Bowen).

The first and second are unexposed as stayers and look sure to keep progressing, whether over hurdles or switched to fences.

Ascot Saturday

THE 1965 Chase commemorates 60 years of racing over jumps at Ascot and star of the Grade 2 feature was Jango Baie (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville), a well-backed 9/4 favourite, and he proved that support justified as he sailed past front-running Gidleigh Park (Harry Fry/Bryan Carver) on the run to two out and drew clear for a nine-length win.

Pic d’Orhy (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) was below form in third, but the real disappointment was Il Est Francais, who was weak in the betting and cut out very quickly in the race itself. A veterinary examination failed to reveal anything, and he now has plenty to prove.

The winner seems sure to go to the King George next, and he certainly looked in need of further given the remarkable way he won the Arkle in March.

Performance

Nico de Boinville was certainly pleased with the performance, saying: “Jango Baie saw it out well. He always finishes his races well, as we saw in the Arkle last year, and I think he’s turning into a really nice staying chaser. He’ll step up to three miles now.”

Also heading to the King George is Il Est Francais, although Tom George’s comment that those connected to the horse would have to: “puff our chests out and carry on”, won’t put potential backers at ease, accepting that he blew out on his prep run 12 months ago before running right up to his best at Kempton.

Wodhooh marches on

The other Grade 2 contest on Ascot’s card saw Wodhooh (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) start a warm 6/5 favourite for the Ascot Hurdle (sponsored by Ladbrokes).

While she was arguably given a bit too much to do as Celtic Dino (Sam Thomas/Dylan Johnston) travelled powerfully in front on the home turn, she picked up impressively when Gilligan got after her, jumping to the front at the final hurdle before sprinting up the final hill to win by two and a half lengths.

Early leader Potter’s Charm (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) was beaten a further five and a half lengths into third in a race which only ever featured that trio.

“Danny said Wodhooh was a little bit rusty,” said Elliott. “But when he gave her a squeeze, she was straight on it. It’s hard to know what’s there because she only ever does what she has to.

“We’ll pick and choose our three or four races for the season, but there’s no plan beyond today. The owners are great craic and we’re very lucky to have her.”