The 2025 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park is set to be an exciting event with top horses like Grey Dawning, Haiti Couleurs, and Royale Pagaille in the running. Dan Skelton's Grey Dawning is favored despite last year’s defeat on similar ground conditions. The up-and-coming Haiti Couleurs and seasoned Royale Pagaille also pose strong competition. However, Stellar Story stands out as a potential victor, offering value with a favorable track record in Grade One races and in wet conditions. The event promises competitive matchups and thrilling races.
Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Betfair Chase
This Grade One will be run at Haydock on Saturday 22nd November
Stellar Story is our selection at 11/1
Expired
Stellar Story (right) stays on past Ballyburn to finish second to Lecky Watson in the 2025 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. (Getty)
The first Grade One race of the British National Hunt season will be handed out at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon. Famous names like Kauto Star, Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card have all won this staying chase and this year's renewal is shaping up to be a cracker.
Grey Dawning carried the tag of favouritism into last year's Betfair Chase, but was outstayed by defending champion Royale Pagaille. Both look set to make their seasonal reappearances at Haydock, and it's Dan Skelton's star who tops the market again.
Splitting last year's top two in the betting is Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs, who returned to action with an impressive handicap win over hurdles. Ben Pauling has managed to get a run into Handstands, with last year's Scilly Isles winner finishing second to Resplendent Grey in the Colin Parker at Carlisle.
Replendent Grey and Myretown defected to head for the Coral Gold Cup, where they'll be joined by other initial entries Protektorat and Intense Raffles. That leaves Gordon Elliott's raider, Stellar Story as the fifth and final runner.
2025 Betfair Chase Tips
Dan Skelton will have Grey Dawning revved to the gills for his seasonal reappearance. Skelton blamed the rain-softened ground for his star's defeat in this contest 12 months ago, and the forecast for Saturday suggests Grey Dawning might face similar conditions in this year's renewal.
Soft ground would suit both Haiti Couleurs and Haydock specialist, Royal Pagaille. The latter is 11, turning 12 this season, and could be vulnerable to a younger rival. Haiti Couleurs is certainly progressive, but he's never raced in Grade One company in his life, and his only previous outing at Grade Two level resulted in a 60-length defeat at this very track.
Stellar Story winning the Albert Bartlett in 2024. (Getty)
Gordon Elliott's former Albert Bartlett winner was one of the top novice chasers last term. Stellar Story beat two stablemates in the Grade Two Florida Pearl, finished a close second to Better Days Ahead in the Ten Up Novices' Chase, and finished well to place second behind Lecky Watson in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott's charge wants soft ground and a real test of stamina. His reappearance record is excellent, and he's a proven traveller - having finished first and second on his two outings in British Grade Ones. I'm certain that the track here at Haydock will suit, and Elliott doesn't send horses over to England merely to make up the numbers.
Only time will tell whether Stellar Story is of Gold Cup, or even of Betfair Chase quality. He might end up being a Welsh National, or a Thyestes Handicap type. What I do know is that this second-season chaser is open to more progress over fences, and conditions on Saturday should be ideal.
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