A four-runner field for a Grade One chase might look a little underwhelming on paper, but there is a decent case to be made for all of the runners in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday as Protektorat aims for a repeat of his impressive success in this race last season.
Dan Skelton’s gelding faced four rivals 12 months ago and had the race won three out after A Plus Tard, the 2022 Gold Cup winner, was pulled up at the top of the straight.
Lingfield: 11.00 Mashaaer 11.30 Purple Poppy 12.00 Morning Suit 12.35 Holkham Bay 1.10 Street Kid 1.45 Victoria Grove 2.17 Shoot To Kill 2.53 Folk Star 3.30 Star Of Lady M
Huntingdon: 11.50 If I Say 12.28 Jour D’Evasion 1.03 Sashenka 1.38 Mumford’s Magic 2.13 Bubble Dubi 2.48 Maclaine 3.23 Dodger Long
Haydock: 12.05 Kamsinas 12.40 Real Stone 1.15 Luttrell Lad 1.50 Gaillard Du Mesnil 2.20 Lord Snootie (nap) 3.00 Protektorat (nb) 3.35 Famous Bridge
Ascot: 12.20 Chianti Classico 12.55 Excello 1.30 Shishkin 2.05 Theatre Glory 2.40 Miss Milano 3.15 Corrigeen Rock 3.50 Wellington Arch
Wolverhampton: 4.15 China Trade 4.45 Supreme King 5.15 Hot Chesnut 5.45 Saviour 6.15 Urban Sprawl 6.45 Typical Woman 7.15 Muscika 7.45 Bulldog Drummond 8.15 Angel Of Peace
This time, he faces another odds-on shot in Bravemansgame, the seven-length runner-up in this year’s Gold Cup, as well as Corach Rambler, the Grand National winner, and a high-class course specialist in Royale Pagaille.
Bravemansgame has 6lb in hand of Protektorat on official ratings and should improve for his run in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby early this month, when he was second at odds-on after a rare mistake at the final fence.
Whether he is a genuine 4-5 chance for Saturday’s race is a different question, however, as Protektorat (3.00) came up with the performance of his career to date under very similar conditions last year.
Once again, Protektorat will be making his seasonal debut on Saturday having had a wind operation over the summer and, while A Plus Tard’s disappointing run will be a question mark over last year’s form for some, the visual impression of his success was backed by a decent time.
First time up on soft ground at Haydock in November could well prove to be the ideal scenario for Protektorat and at around 9-4, he is a very fair price to repeat last year’s success.
Uttoxeter
11.55 Chatshow TV 12.30 Party Vibes 1.05 Broomfield Present 1.40 The Imposter 2.15 Kankin 2.45 Sound And Fury 3.20 Libor Lad
Exeter
12.20 Salver 12.55 Getaway Theatre 1.30 Kilbeg King (nap) 2.05 Tarahumara (nb) 2.38 Asian Spice 3.10 Enjoy Your Life 3.45 Danton
Haydock 1.15: The form of Luttrell Lad’s win last time out may have been underestimated as it came in a pro/am event at Cartmel, but the time was useful and he could well outrun odds of about 9-1.
Ascot 1.30: Shishkin was beaten first time up last season but has several pounds in hand of this Grade Two field and should make a winning return.
Haydock 1.50: Apple Away, last season’s Sefton Novice Hurdle winner, is a fascinating recruit to chasing but the greater experience of Gaillard Du Mesnil could be decisive.
Ascot 2.05: The lightly raced Theatre Glory has gone well fresh in the past and could have the measure of the quirky Goshen.
Haydock 2.20: A mistake two out stopped Lord Snootie in his tracks last time and he is a big price at about 9-1 to make amends.
Ascot 3.15: In a fiercely competitive handicap, Patrick Wadge’s 3lb claim could make all the difference on Corrigeen Rock.
Haydock 3.35: Famous Bridge can build on a solid return to action at Ayr, where a mistake at the last probably cost him the win.
