2009 BETFAIR CHASE AT HAYDOCK PARK TIPS AND SELECTIONS

We’ve got a real corker coming up tomorrow as Kauto Star’s first run of the National Hunt season is set to kick-off in a very big way at the 2009 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park. The 9 year-old French gelding is looking for some revenge from last time out when he unseated his rider against a field of six with Snoopy Loopy staying on to claim that one.
The multiple Gold Cup-winning bay gelding is set to get a real test from the in-form Notre Pere and the odds are definitely signifying that this is could very likely turn out to be a two-horse race on the home stretch. The 8 year-old French gelding had a real spill at Down Royal in the JNwine Champion Chase two weeks back and could have been a real contender had he not fallen five out. The Listener went on to take the victory.
Currently, Victor Chandler lists Kauto Star as the 5/4 favourite with Notre Pere just a hairsbreath behind at 7/4. Not much between the two here and there are plenty of other talented runners here who could go on to win the race.
You’ll find Madison Du Berlais, trained by David Pipe, out for the first run of the season and carrying a 13/2 price. He triumphed in the totesport Bowl Chase at Aintree, the race in which Exotic Dancer sadly passed away afterwards, and is unraced so far this season. He has done well with Scudamore on top, beating out Denman and Air Force one at Kempton and Newbury last year in the Levy Board Chase and the Hennessy. The 8 year-old gelding knows how to get it done and will be looking to make a real statement tomorrow. This horse could lay spoiler.
Aside from Madison Du Berlais, the only other shorter-odds runners are Imperial Commander at 10/1 and Halcon Genelardais at 14/1. Both of these are quality runners with great careers behind them, but I’m just not sure if they can match the quality of the top 3. Imperial Commander has a chance to win this if any favourites fall or unseat, and he could be poised to capitalize under those circumstances. Of the two, I think Imperial Commander is the more progressive horse.
Nozic is an interesting selection, and remains doubtful for the race. Paul Nicholls may throw him on there, but he will likely be listed at a giant price and unlikely to place.
Rambling Minster is well-priced at 66/1 and could be a solid place bet. He is great over the distance and boasts confidence on a testing surface, but I just feel this is too big a step up in class. Mistakes happening will play into his favour, but it might be a big ask.
Seymour Weld had a great first half of the year and then things started to get a little tricky at Worcester and Uttoexeter back in the summer. This is a huge step-up for him and the 9 year-old chocolate-coloured gelding will need a performance for the ages to best the competition here. A strong close and mistakes from the front-runners could see him make a dramatic place appearance. He is enticingly-listed at 200/1.
If you’re going really long on this one though, have a bash on The Sawyer. This is a sort-of obscure Belgian runner who hasn’t won since a Grade 3 chase at Cheltenham back in January. He’s a there-or-thereabouts type of runner who could spring a real surprise here. Again, this is a massive step-up in quality, but 200/1 is enticing on a horse that looks to have a few tricks up its sleeve.
My selection is Kauto Star over Notre Pere and Madison Du Berlais in the forecasts. I will also step-up and back The Sawyer on a lengthy each-way bash because miracles do happen.