19:00 Haydock 22 Nov 2025
Betfair Chase
Grade 1 | Registered As The Lancashire Chase | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £112,540 - 5 ran
in rear, in touch, closed up after 4th, took 3rd at 15th, chased leader travelling strongly 4 out, waited with still on bridle pressing leaders thereafter, led narrowly last, shaken up run-in and asserted closing stages, cosily
handy on inner, led 4th but pestered, ridden and faced strong challenge after 3 out, headed narrowly last, no match for cosy winner run-in
tracked leader on outer, dropped to rear after 4th, went 3rd after 10th, pushed along after 15th and no impression, held 3 out, plugged on
led, hit 4th headed, remained pressing leader, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out and left behind by front pair, faded run-in
close up towards rear, took 3rd after 4th, dropped to rear 10th, not fluent next, mistake 13th and lost touch, pulled up before 4 out
Expert Analysis
The key to the reversal of placings from last year with the first two horses to finish was the different ground conditions. In 2024 Grey Dawning jumped to the front at the final fence before being worn down by the Venetia Williams horse on the run in. That renewal took around 30 seconds longer to complete compared with this 2025 version and therein lies a significant difference for both horses. Royale Pagaille is clearly better when the mud is flying whereas the Dan Skelton horse appeared to run out of stamina on the very testing surface in 2024.
GREY DAWNING He ran out an impressive looking winner whilst beating a runner up who would not have been suited to the good to soft conditions. Likewise, the third horse home in Stellar Story will need proper soft ground to show his best form and the only other finisher was Handstands who seemed to run out of stamina in between the final two fences. This was still a performance that was most pleasing to the eye even though he will have to make another leap forward to trouble the Gold Cup standard staying chasers.
ROYALE PAGAILLE In his own way this was just as impressive a performance as he put up when winning the 2024 version of this race. The mixture of good to soft and good ground would have certainly not played to his strengths and his connections will be hoping to see the ground ride testing assuming he returns here for the Peter Marsh early next year.
STELLAR STORY Along with the runner up, we should see the best of him when the mud is flying. This was still a perfectly credible effort as he was outpaced on ground quicker than ideal before staying on to grab third place close to the finish.
HANDSTANDS If we considered this race in isolation, we would surely conclude that he did not see out this three-mile-plus trip. He was ridden very positively, and his connections were rewarded with a clear message to drop him back to an intermediate trip next time.
HAITI COULEURS For whatever reason, he was never travelling and consequently never got competitive. Perhaps this race came too soon after his hurdles victory at Newbury 16 days earlier.
Future Form
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifying races available. | |||
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Soft | 7 | Royale Pagaille | 10 | 11 10 | - | 526F-1F | 301 days | Miss V Williams (118 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 11/ 4 | 7:07.20 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 4 | Royale Pagaille | 9 | 11 10 | - | 255-26F | 229 days | Miss V Williams (118 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 5/ 1 | 6:40.80 | |
| 2022 | Soft | 5 | Protektorat | 7 | 11 10 | - | 21-2134 | 226 days | D Skelton (111 miles) | Harry Skelton | 15/ 2 | 6:36.52 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 7 | A Plus Tard | 7 | 11 7 | - | 213-212 | 246 days | H De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore | 11/ 10 | 6:29.79 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 5 | Bristol De Mai | 9 | 11 7 | - | F34-229 | 253 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 9/ 4 | 7:03.63 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 4 | Lostintranslation | 7 | 11 7 | - | 31221-1 | 20 days | C L Tizzard (212 miles) | Robbie Power | 5/ 4 | 6:43.20 | |
| 2018 | Good | 5 | Bristol De Mai | 7 | 11 7 | - | 5-11632 | 226 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 13/ 2 | 6:29.20 | |
| 2017 | Heavy | 6 | Bristol De Mai | 6 | 11 7 | - | 21375-1 | 21 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 11/ 10 | 7:00.30 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 6 | Cue Card | 10 | 11 7 | - | 11F1-43 | 21 days | C L Tizzard (212 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 15/ 8 | 6:22.72 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 5 | Cue Card | 9 | 11 7 | - | 4452-41 | 21 days | C L Tizzard (212 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 7/ 4 | 6:15.17 | |
| 2014 | Soft | 9 | Silviniaco Conti | 8 | 11 7 | - | 33141-5 | 21 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Noel Fehily | 10/ 3 | 6:13.85 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 8 | Cue Card | 7 | 11 7 | - | 15112-3 | 18 days | C L Tizzard (212 miles) | J Tizzard | 9/ 1 | 6:18.50 | |
| 2012 | Soft | 5 | Silviniaco Conti | 6 | 11 7 | - | 31241-1 | 21 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 7/ 4 | 6:21.60 | |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 6 | Kauto Star | 11 | 11 7 | - | 1F133-P | 199 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 6/ 1 | 5:54.50 | |
| 2010 | Good to Soft | 7 | Imperial Commander | 9 | 11 7 | - | 1-P251U | 226 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | Paddy Brennan | 10/ 11 | 6:10.90 | |
| 2009 | Soft | 7 | Kauto Star | 9 | 11 7 | - | 22-1U11 | 253 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 6 | 6:04.53 | |
| 2008 | Good | 6 | Snoopy Loopy | 10 | 11 7 | - | 2B1133 | 21 days | P & M Bowen (203 miles) | S Durack | 33/ 1 | 6:05.90 | |
| 2007 | Soft | 7 | Kauto Star | 7 | 11 7 | - | 11111-2 | 27 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Sam Thomas | 4/ 5 | 6:15.70 | |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 6 | Kauto Star | 6 | 11 8 | - | 1221F-1 | 27 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 11/ 10 | 6:09.80 | |
| 2005 | Good to Soft | 8 | Kingscliff | 8 | 11 8 | - | 1122-42 | 21 days | R Alner (223 miles) | R Walford | 8/ 1 | 6:05.40 |