If you’re anything like me, the moment the entries for the Betfair Chase went public my pulse quickened just a little. This Betfair Chase 2025 preview is my chance to walk you through the race at Haydock on 22 November, from the big trends to every runner and the bets I’m actually considering. November 22 at Haydock isn’t just another date in the calendar—it’s the opening salvo of the staying-chase season in Britain, and this year the field has that rare mixture of tried-and-trusted types and fresh challengers with upside.
I’m going to take you through how I see the race, what the key stats and trends are, and then we’ll walk runner by runner before I land my picks (yes, two likely winners and one cheeky outsider).
Before we dive in, the ground’s still officially “TBC”, but given the time of year and Haydock’s reputation, my money’s on something at least good to soft, maybe soft/heavy if the heavens open. That’ll matter. Big time.
Why the Betfair Chase matters so much
Every November, the Betfair Chase 2025 marks that moment when you realise winter racing is truly back. It’s the first proper Grade 1 of the British jumps season, the test that separates real stayers from hype horses. You’ve got the Haydock fences—tough, almost spiteful on soft ground—and the sense that this race sets the tone for everything to come: the King George, the Gold Cup, the Grand National conversations.
Over the years, I’ve seen legends announce themselves here. From Kauto Star to A Plus Tard, it’s been the launchpad for champions and the graveyard for a few overhyped runners. Maybe that’s why I love it: it’s brutally honest. You can’t bluff your way through Haydock Park in November.
And for punters like us, it’s also a tone-setter. You learn quickly who’s winter-ready, who’s rusty, and which yards mean business early doors. That’s the beauty of this Grade 1 staying chase—it tells the truth before Christmas does.
A quick look back at the Betfair Chase 2025
The Betfair Chase began in 2005 and quickly established itself as Britain’s first major Grade 1 staying chase of the jumps season, run over roughly three miles and one and a half furlongs at Haydock Park, with 19 fences to navigate.
Over the years, it’s become known as one of the toughest early-season stamina tests in National Hunt racing. Kauto Star, the most famous winner, lifted the trophy four times between 2006 and 2011, setting the standard for generations to follow.
This Betfair Chase 2025 preview looks back on a race that has often defined how the top stayers shape their season — many winners go on to the King George VI Chase or even the Cheltenham Gold Cup. And while each edition brings its own quirks, one thing stays constant: experience at Haydock almost always matters.
Trends that really matter in the Betfair Chase 2025
From all the data I’ve gathered over the years (and you know I love a trend), here’s what really stands out for the Betfair Chase 2025.
In the last ten editions, winners have mostly been aged between seven and nine, arriving off a recent strong run within the past six weeks. Proven stamina over three miles or more is almost non-negotiable, and Haydock Park experience regularly proves a decisive edge.
Ground conditions play a huge role: when the track rides soft or heavy, mud lovers like Royale Pagaille have thrived; in faster years, classier and slightly younger types such as Grey Dawning tend to dominate.
Usually, the winner sits among the top three in the market — big shocks are rare but not impossible. Most go on to feature in the King George VI Chase or even the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which shows how this early-season Grade 1 staying chase shapes the whole campaign.
So for 2025, my filters are clear: age, stamina, ground adaptability and market standing. Any horse ticking three of those four boxes earns my full attention.
If you’re a trends geek like me, you can dive deeper into past data and sectional analysis on the At The Races Betfair Chase trends page — a brilliant resource for spotting historical patterns and trainer records.
Runner by runner guide for the Betfair Chase 2025
Here we go — time to break down the full field for the Betfair Chase 2025 at Haydock Park. Sixteen contenders line up for Britain’s first big staying chase of the season, and the market looks tight at the top with several genuine Grade 1 contenders in the mix. Below, you’ll find my take on each runner — not just stats and odds, but how I see their chances based on the trends, ground, and recent form.
Grey Dawning (8yo)
Trainer: Dan Skelton. Market leader two days ago at ~11/8
Runner-up in last year’s Betfair Chase behind Royale Pagaille, Grey Dawning comes back for the Betfair Chase 2025 as the horse many expect to go one better. Skelton has repeatedly dismissed any stamina concerns, and this time his star looks fully matured and perfectly tuned for this three-mile-plus test at Haydock Park.
If the going isn’t too deep, he’s absolutely the one to beat. He ticks all the major trend boxes — age (8), form, favourite status — and his jumping suits Haydock’s demanding fences.
My take: The logical pick and the one they all have to catch.
Spillane’s Tower (7yo)
Trainer: Jimmy Mangan (Ireland) — Market around 3/1 as second favourite.
A top-class Irish raider and two-time Grade 1 winner, Spillane’s Tower arrives at Haydock Park looking to follow in the footsteps of A Plus Tard, the last Irish-trained horse to win the Betfair Chase. His team travel only when the ground’s right, having skipped several early-season targets on faster going — so you know he’s here to mean business.
A genuine soft-ground performer with proven stamina and the right age profile for this Betfair Chase 2025, he lacks track experience but makes up for it with class and staying power.
My take: Major threat if the rain comes — the more cut, the better.
Royale Pagaille (11yo)
Trainer: Venetia Williams — Dual winner of the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024, both times in gruelling heavy conditions at Haydock Park.
The definition of a mud-loving stayer, Royale Pagaille returns for the Betfair Chase 2025 chasing an extraordinary hat-trick. Few horses handle Haydock’s deep winter ground like he does, and his stamina and jumping under pressure remain elite.
That said, age (11) is beginning to creep up, and if the ground stays closer to good or good-to-soft, the younger brigade may simply have too much pace for him.
My take: The ultimate heavy-ground weapon — huge value if the rain arrives, less so on a dry track.
Protektorat (10yo)
Trainer: Dan Skelton — Winner of the Betfair Chase in 2022 and still one of the most respected stayers around.
Few horses know Haydock Park as well as Protektorat, and that course experience is pure gold when tackling the 19 fences of this Grade 1 test. The Betfair Chase 2025 marks his chance to prove he still belongs among the elite, though age (10) and mixed recent form mean he’ll need to rediscover that old spark to challenge the younger legs.
Still, his jumping and familiarity with the track make him a genuine contender if he’s anywhere near his best.
My take: Reliable, battle-hardened and capable of sneaking into the frame — especially if the race turns tactical.
Haiti Couleurs (8yo)
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis — Winner of the Irish Grand National and a rapidly improving staying chaser now stepping into Grade 1 company.
This could be a fascinating Betfair Chase 2025 debut for a horse whose stamina is beyond doubt. Haiti Couleurs has the right age profile (8) and arrives in top form, but faces his sternest test yet against seasoned Haydock specialists. His lack of track experience is the main question mark — although his attitude and staying power make him an intriguing wildcard.
My take: The dark horse of the race — if he handles Haydock Park’s fences, don’t rule out a big run at double-digit odds.
Handstands (6yo)
Trainer: Ben Pauling — The youngest contender in the Betfair Chase 2025 line-up and something of an unknown quantity at this level.
At just six, Handstands is taking on seasoned Grade 1 stayers with far more experience around Haydock Park, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Only a handful of 6-year-olds have ever gone close in the Betfair Chase, and his recent performances suggest there’s plenty of untapped potential here.
If he improves again and jumps cleanly, he could spring a surprise and grab a place at generous odds.
My take: The progressive type that might not win — but could shake up the finish if he stays the trip strongly.
Resplendent Grey (7yo)
Trainer: Olly Murphy — A consistent and improving staying chaser who has quietly built a strong record in handicap company and now steps up into Grade 1 territory.
At seven, he fits the ideal age profile for the Betfair Chase 2025, though he lacks the top-level form some of his rivals already own. His stamina looks solid, and his jumping has become more polished with each run, which could help him handle Haydock Park’s demanding fences.
He may not have the star quality of the favourites, but his steady progress and toughness make him an appealing each-way option for punters seeking value.
My take: A grinder rather than a flash performer — not flashy, but reliable enough to sneak into the frame.
Hitman (9yo)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls — A familiar name from the Nicholls yard, Hitman has long shown flashes of Grade 1 ability without quite delivering the big breakthrough that his reputation once promised.
He lines up for the Betfair Chase 2025 at Haydock Park as a genuine outsider, priced around 20/1, and while his raw talent is undeniable, questions remain about his stamina over the full 3m1½f trip. On soft ground, that test becomes even more brutal — and that’s where his past form has wobbled slightly.
Still, on his day he’s slick over fences and capable of grabbing a minor placing if others falter.
My take: The sort of horse that keeps you interested without ever fully convincing — place potential at best.
Stellar Story (8yo)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott — One of two Irish-trained contenders heading to Haydock Park for the Betfair Chase 2025, and a fascinating addition to this year’s field.
Stellar Story arrives with solid staying chase form and the right age profile (8), fitting neatly into several of the key trends that define recent Betfair Chase winners. The big question is whether he can adapt quickly to Haydock’s unique test, where experience and rhythm over the fences are crucial.
He’s a bit of a sleeper in the market around 14/1, but with Elliott’s record in conditioning tough stayers, it wouldn’t shock me if he outran those odds.
My take: The quiet Irish threat — solid each-way value if he handles the fences first time.
Mr Vango (9yo)
Trainer: Mrs Sara V Bradstock — A proper staying chaser with stamina to burn, Mr Vango lines up for the Betfair Chase 2025 as a genuine grinder, the type who relishes a long trip and a proper test of endurance.
He’s not as flashy as some of the classier rivals, but he’ll keep galloping when others start to fade — and that’s often the trait you need at Haydock Park, especially if the ground turns soft. What he lacks in top-level experience, he compensates with heart and stamina.
At around 12/1, he feels slightly underrated and could sneak into the places if this becomes a true war of attrition.
My take: The tougher the test, the better he looks — definitely worth considering for each-way backers.
Jordans (6yo)
Trainer: Joseph P. O’Brien — The youngest contender in the Betfair Chase 2025, Jordans brings that classic “improver” profile we often see emerging from the powerful Irish yards.
At six, he’s still learning the trade, and Haydock Park’s stiff fences will give him a proper education. This is a big ask at such an early stage in his chasing career, but O’Brien doesn’t send one over for nothing — there’s clear belief in the horse’s engine.
He’s a long shot at around 20/1, yet youth sometimes brings surprise energy and bold jumping that can shake up these deep staying races.
My take: Not ready to rule him out — a risky pick, but one who could run better than the odds suggest if everything clicks.
Beauport (9yo)
Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies — A tough and seasoned campaigner, Beauport heads into the Betfair Chase 2025 with solid course form and a reputation for grinding performances rather than flashy finishes.
He’s the kind of staying chaser who keeps finding under pressure, and his proven ability to handle soft ground could make him an interesting each-way outsider if the conditions turn testing at Haydock Park. That said, this Grade 1 field might stretch his class ceiling just a bit beyond comfort.
Still, with the Twiston-Davies team known for getting one ready for early-season targets, he’s not without a squeak if the race becomes a stamina slog.
My take: Reliable and genuine — the sort you’d love in a scrap, even if a win feels a long shot.
Ginny’s Destiny (9yo)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson — The ultimate long-shot in the Betfair Chase 2025, Ginny’s Destiny brings experience but faces an uphill task against some elite staying chasers at Haydock Park.
At around 40/1, it’s hard to make a serious case for him beyond the fact that Henderson rarely sends one unfit. His jumping can be tidy, and he does stay three miles well, but this Grade 1 level is likely to test his limits.
If the race falls apart in testing ground, he could pick up tired rivals late and sneak a minor placing, but that’s the optimistic scenario.
My take: Likeable horse, but the Betfair Chase mountain looks a bit too steep this time.
Myretown (8yo)
Trainers: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore — Representing a tough Scottish-trained yard, Myretown steps into the Betfair Chase 2025 looking to prove he belongs among Britain’s elite staying chasers.
He’s consistent, jumps well, and seems happiest when the ground has a bit of give — which could make Haydock Park a good fit. The main question is whether he has the raw pace to stay with the front rank when the tempo lifts in the closing stages.
At around 25/1, he makes some sense as an each-way player, especially if the rain arrives and this turns into a stamina battle.
My take: Honest, durable and game — not flashy, but the sort that could nick a place if others falter.
Intense Raffles (7yo)
Trainer: Thomas Gibney — Every big race needs a wildcard, and Intense Raffles fits that bill in the Betfair Chase 2025. The 7-year-old Irish-trained chaser steps up massively in grade here, tackling the Haydock Park fences for the first time and facing some serious Grade 1 opposition.
On paper, it’s a big ask — but he’s unexposed at this staying trip and could relish softer conditions if the weather turns. His age fits nicely with the key winning trend (7–9 years), and at odds around 33/1, he’s the sort who could run a quiet race into the frame if others underperform.
My take: Massive price, plenty to prove, but not without intrigue — the type of long-shot that keeps racing fun.
Marsh Wren (9yo)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds — Every big race has its heartwarming outsider, and Marsh Wren takes that role in the Betfair Chase 2025. The 9-year-old mare is a game and genuine sort who’ll give her all around Haydock Park, even if the company here might be a bit above her current level.
She jumps soundly and stays well, traits that will help her get round if the soft ground turns the race into a stamina test. The issue is pure class — she’s stepping up from lesser graded races into full Grade 1 territory.
At around 50/1, she’s not one to rely on for a win bet, but as a cheerful each-way outsider, she could deliver an honest effort and give her supporters a thrill.
My take: The likable underdog — miles out of it on paper, but she’ll try her heart out.
How the race might unfold
When I picture the Betfair Chase 2025 at Haydock Park, I see a true Grade 1 staying chase in every sense: 19 fences, 3 miles and 1½ furlongs of relentless rhythm, and weather that can change everything. This race is never about raw speed — it’s about timing, toughness, and who still has a gallop left after the final fence.
If the soft ground turns testing, the stayers like Royale Pagaille, Spillane’s Tower or Haiti Couleurs might grind their way to the front. But if the surface rides better, expect Grey Dawning to travel smoothly, jumping with rhythm and using that touch of class to make his move before the last two fences.
Now picture it: late November skies, the roar of the Haydock crowd, the leaders launching into the second circuit. Hitman could take them along early, with Protektorat stalking the pace and Grey Dawning cruising in behind. Spillane’s Tower might loom up like an Irish ghost down the home straight, while Royale Pagaille thrives as the mud begins to fly.
Those final fences always decide it — Haydock doesn’t forgive a sloppy jump. Whoever meets them right will write their name into the story. That’s the beauty of this race: it’s unpredictable, brutal, and absolutely gripping to the last stride.
My picks and final thoughts
When it comes to betting on the Betfair Chase 2025, I’ve narrowed it down to two realistic winners — and one trusty each-way backup if the heavens decide to join the party at Haydock Park.
Winner Pick 1: Grey Dawning
He’s the one I want on my side. The perfect staying chaser profile for this race — 8 years old, battle-hardened, and bang in form. If the ground stays decent, his jumping rhythm and cruising speed could make all the difference. Add in that revenge narrative after last year’s near-miss, and he ticks nearly every historical trend that matters.
Winner Pick 2: Spillane’s Tower
The Irish challenger with both class and confidence. If the ground goes soft, he’s the one I fear most. He’s proven at Grade 1 level, and his yard knows how to pick their targets. I’ll happily take the slightly longer odds here — great value in the likely second favourite.
Each-Way/Value Bet: Royale Pagaille
If the forecast rain turns Haydock Park heavy, Royale Pagaille becomes the monster of the mud again. He’s older now, sure, but his record in the slop is unmatched, and this race has been his playground before. Around 5/1 looks fair for an each-way saver.
So that’s my plan: Grey Dawning for class and rhythm, Spillane’s Tower as the shrewd Irish counterpunch, and a cautious hedge on Royale Pagaille if it turns into a stamina war. Whichever way it breaks, the Betfair Chase 2025 promises to kick off the staying-chase season in style.ase.
Closing thoughts
And that’s a wrap — my full breakdown of the Betfair Chase 2025. It’s never just another race; it’s the Grade 1 staying chase that sets the tone for winter, the curtain-raiser that tells us who’s ready for the grind from Haydock Park to Kempton and on to Cheltenham.
Every November, this race answers the big questions: who handles deep ground, who’s sharp from the break, and which yards are already firing. The 2025 edition feels perfectly poised between proven veterans and hungry improvers — the kind of mix that makes jump racing addictive.
So, grab your notes, check the weather, and remember: ground changes everything. If it turns heavy, stamina will rule; if it stays good, class will rise. Either way, we’re in for a proper Haydock thriller.
See you at the winning post — and here’s to a cracking start to the staying-chase season.
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