Betfair Chase Runner By Runner

Trainer - Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey - Daryl Jacob

Was an emphatic 57-length victor of this race last year, which in reflection was a very weak renewal.

Not the case this time around, with the Gold Cup 1-2 headlining the field, but Bristol De Mai loves it round here, and is a three-time course winner.

The big negative will be that he is a real mud-lover, and the conditions are expected to be good, good to soft at best.

Was well beaten in the King George last December, and has seven lengths to find on Might Bite from the Betway Bowl Chase at Aintree back in April.

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Harry Cobden

The lowest rated horse in the field, but not to be ignored having proved his consistency last term.

Won smartly at Haydock this time last year in the Graduation Chase and has progressed into a promising chaser since.

The ratings are fair, having finished ten lengths behind Might Bite in the Bowl at the National meeting (Bristol De Mai 2nd), and ground to make up in this classy field of five.

Trainer - Nicky Henderson

Jockey - Nico de Boinville

Last year's Gold Cup runner-up is out to seek revenge, and his patience will be rewarded with his ideal ground conditions.

A quirky, but outstanding chaser, who won the King George and Betway Bowl Chase last term after his seasonal reappearance at Sandown.

He has really progressed into one of the best around, and will be hard to stop, despite the fact Native River got the better of him back in March.

Nico de Boinville has also been confirmed fit to partner Might Bite, which is a plus as he knows the horse inside out.

Trainer - Colin Tizzard

Jockey - Richard Johnson

Last year's sensational winner of the Gold Cup is back, and is ready to begin his bid for the Triple Crown in the Betfair Chase.

He has come on leaps and bounds since finishing second in the four-miler at the Festival, and has since won the Welsh National at Chepstow.

However, the conditions favour the runner-up from the Cheltenham feature, and Native River will not be the only horse in the race crying out for rain.

The 8yo has also never run around the tight circuit at Haydock, which may be unfamiliar for him.

Regardless, another mouth-watering clash beckons with the best in the division, and he will certainly play his part.

Trainer - Colin Tizzard

Jockey - Tom Scudamore

The Tizzard's are also represented by the oldest horse in the race - Thistlecrack, who has been given one last chance for Gold Cup Glory.

That being said, he is back in top form according to the yard, having disappointed on both of his starts last season.

He has always been hit by injury problems, but hopefully he has now fully recovered, and can relocate his peak form which proved too good in the King George of 2016.

A fan favourite, he maybe slightly outclassed by the top two on his first run in almost a year, but would be great to see him run to his glorious best, with a promise of potential improvement.