Britain’s first Grade 1 staying chase of the season is Haydock’s Betfair Chase and it took place on Saturday.

It gave some of Britain’s leading Gold Cup hopes a chance to put themselves into the picture for the big race and winner Grey Dawning managed to do just that.

There’s now a very different picture with regards to his Gold Cup chances than at this time last year, when he failed to see out the trip after hitting the front.

We’re going to look at what races he could be aimed at for the rest of the campaign.

Betfair Chase redemption

Haydock specialist and previous Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille stayed on strongly to get the better of Grey Dawning in the 2024 renewal, but Dan Skelton’s gelding managed to reverse the form in style this time providing an easy winner for punters following irishracing.com daily horseracing tips.

Travelling powerfully into the race, he was on the bridle the entire time and hit the front after the last. One or two nudges were all that was needed from Harry Skelton on board and there was lots to like about that performance.

That performance was the first piece of evidence that the Gold Cup trip might be suitable for the grey and he now has many options open to him.

Gaelic Warrior put him in his place at Aintree in the spring, but it’s very possible that Grey Dawning is a little stronger this season.

What’s next?

Trainer Dan Skelton is not surprised by the improvement shown by Grey Dawning at Haydock and was always confident that there was more to come from him.

The obvious race for a leading staying chaser would be the King George, but that looks unlikely.

Going right-handed is a big no apparently and a King George bid has been ruled out by the trainer. He pulled up in the race last year and it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of Kempton on that evidence.

There are several other options open to him, however.

A trip to Ireland for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown has been suggested as a possibility and we would really see how strong his Gold Cup credentials are if that is the case.

Going up against Ireland’s best would be a bold move, but perhaps a bubble-bursting one?

One other possibility put forward by Skelton after the race is the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January, provided the ground isn’t too soft.

That would be the sticking point however, as conditions are usually very testing on trials’ day.

Gold Cup and beyond

Obviously the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the ultimate aim for the season and, although he’s yet to actually prove his stamina for the trip, Saturday’s performance would have gone some way to alleviate people’s doubts.

Haiti Couleurs was going to be aimed at the Gold Cup, but after a bitterly disappointing display in the Betfair it would be strange if connections persist with a Gold Cup bid.

Grey Dawning is now Britain’s sole leading candidate for Cheltenham’s showpiece.

Inothewayurthinkin ran an absolute shocker behind Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File in the John Durkan on Sunday, so there are clearly some vulnerabilities there.

With an injury setback impeding Galopin Des Champs, Grey Dawning at 16/1 looks like a solid bet.

A return to Aintree can’t be ruled out after that and you would imagine he’ll be a serious candidate if heading to Liverpool.

Gaelic Warrior would be the danger if coming over once again and it would surely be a cracking race.