Betfair Chase Antepost Predictions & Tips Following Entries (2025)

My 2024 antepost analysis of the Betfair Chase resulted in a winning selection at odds of 11/4 on the day, with my write up a couple of days before the race stating… 

“3.05 Haydock – Saturday’s predicted deluge of rain is music to the ears of Venetia Williams with her veteran chaser ROYALE PAGAILLE going for back-to-back victories in the Betfair Chase.

An attritional race will certainly play to his strengths and he can grind the others into submission.”

Roll on 12 months, and the 2025 renewal of the Betfair Chase (officially registered as The Lancashire Chase) takes place at Haydock Park on Saturday 22nd November at 3pm. So, who are the main contenders ahead of this year’s race?

2025 Betfair Chase Contenders

Entries closed for the Betfair Chase on Tuesday afternoon and a total of 16 horses have been entered for Haydock’s feature race of the jump season.

Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning (5/4) is the ante post favourite in the horse racing betting for the 2025 Betfair Chase, with Spillane’s Tower (7/2) and Royale Pagaille (9/2), considered to be his most likely challengers.

Narrowly defeated by Royale Pagaille in a thrilling finish last year, Grey Dawning may just have won but for a poor jump at the final fence, and the Skelton’s will be hoping they can turn the tables this time around.

Despite being defeated in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle, trainer Ben Pauling is keen to target the Betfair Chase next with Handstands.

Handstands was the 4-5 favourite for his reappearance in the Colin Parker, but he was eventually run down in the closing stages by Olly Murphy’s bet365 Gold Cup winner Resplendent Grey, losing by three-quarters of a length at the line.

Pauling stated after the Carlisle race: “He’ll come on a million for it and there’s no disasters. He came back A1 with his ears pricked and looked like he hadn’t had a race.

“I don’t think it will change what we’re going to do – we’ll probably still go for the Betfair and I think he’ll be a lot sharper for it.”

Dual winner Royale Pagaille is also in contention to claim his third success in the Grade 1 race.

Venetia Williams is a trainer for the big occasion, and will be hopeful that her veteran chaser will once again get his favoured ground on the day of the race.

A total of four Irish-trained horses have been entered for the contest, with dual Grade 1 winner Spillane’s Tower the most intriguing entry of the quartet. He has bypassed many a race due to quick ground, so would relish a softer surface at Haydock.

2025 Betfair Chase prediction: Royale Pagaille to WIN (9/2)

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*