The Betfair Chase has now become one of the most anticipated races of the National Hunt season and on Saturday afternoon thousands of fans will be descending upon Haydock Park.

Established in 2005, the Betfair Chase has continually attracted some of the best chasers in the land and this year is no exception, even if it is a small but select field.

The Betfair Chase forms the first leg of the £1m Jockey Club sponsored Triple Crown, which is awarded to any horse that can win the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Cheltenham Gold Cup at The Festival next March.

Over the course of 13 years, the Betfair Chase has produced a highly esteemed roll of honour.

The people’s favourite Kauto Star won the race four times (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011) with his last win lifting the roof off the Haydock stands. A statue was even erected in his honour at the track.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card almost pulled off the hat-trick of wins required to land the Triple Crown bonus but he fell when holding every chance in the Gold Cup. He managed to win the Betfair Chase a total of three times in his glittering career.

As well as saddling Kauto Star to win this race on more than one occasion, Paul Nicholls also trained Silviniaco Conti to win the highly coveted Lancashire Chase (registered name) twice.

Just five runners go to post on Saturday, but what a line-up it is:

 

Might Bite

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old is proving to be a very popular choice amongst punters due to the drying conditions being totally in his favour and with many of his rivals having several questions to face on the surface.

Track conditions and the sharper nature of the Haydock track all appear to be on his side this weekend and it will make a refreshing change to see the race run on decent ground at Haydock, which hasn’t been the case in recent years.

Might Bite encountered only one defeat last season when he was outgunned by Native River in the Gold Cup after an enthralling duel. Less than a month later he travelled with aplomb as he routed the field in the Betway Bowl and Aintree.

If he runs anywhere near that kind of level here he will be a tough but to crack under his regular pilot Nico De Boinville.

 

Native River

Native River has no problem with quicker ground, indeed five of his 11 wins have come on going described as good or good-to-soft.

His front-running style means that he often beats his rivals into submission but it is very unlikely he will get all his own way at the head of the field on this occasion.

Owned by Brocade Racing and trained by Colin Tizzard, the nine-year-old has won five of his last six chases, namely the Hennessy, Coral Welsh National, Denman Chase (twice) and the Gold Cup.

His only defeat in the last two seasons was a third-place finish behind Sizing John at in the 2017 renewal of the Gold Cup.

In the overall scheme of things this is a formable record which other owners can only dream about and he is sure to be on the premises once again on Saturday.

 

Bristol De Mai

Bristol De Mai needs no introduction as far as this race goes and his demolition of the field 12 months ago is still a statisticians dream to this day.

Even though every form student knows that the ground completely fell into his lap that day, he is certainly no one-trick pony and nobody can deny that his Haydock form is impeccable.

Twiston-Davies’ galloping grey is three from three at the venue. His first win at the track was in a Grade two novices’ chase, the second was in the Peter Marsh Handicap and the third was his runaway 57-length win in last season’s Betfair Chase.

All three of those wins however were in bottomless ground and there is a suspicion that he may get tapped for toe in these conditions against these top class rivals.

 

Thistlecrack

The 2016 King George winner has not won since his Kempton triumph but the Tizzard team still believe the ten-year-old is still a serious Gold Cup contender.

Injury has ruled Thistlecrack out of the last two Cheltenham Festivals and he has not been seen on a racecourse since his fourth-placed effort in the King George on Boxing Day last year.

The ten-year-old was head and shoulders above the opposition as a staying hurdler and his transition to fences had the fan boys and fan girls gaping in awe at his jumping prowess.

Unfortunately all that came to a juddering halt but it would be completely folly to rule a Lazarus style return on another big stage.

 

Clan Des Obeaux

Trained by Paul Nicholls, this six-year-old has very little mileage on the clock and looks a progressive type.

He won a graduation chase on this very card last year before finishing runner-up to Guitar Pete in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham when trying to give away 21lb to the winner.

The gelding, who is part owned by Sir Alec Ferguson, returned to action four months later finishing a keeping-on third behind Might Bite and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl at Aintree.

888sport suggests: Clan Des Obeaux (e/w).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

With a few of England’s biggest clubs playing on Saturday afternoon, punters may not have looked at Sunday and Monday in too much detail. However, there are still three tasty games for 888sport customers to get stuck into.

Let’s get down to the Premier League best bets this weekend, starting with Bournemouth at home against Arsenal. The Cherries headline my Sunday and Monday 9/2 treble…

AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs Arsenal

Bournemouth have lost one of their last nine matches on home soil and the Cherries will be difficult to beat. Eddie Howe will have his troops fired up and ready to go to war on Sunday afternoon.

The 17/20 for a win or draw represents solid value. Bournemouth are in the mix to snag the coveted ‘best of the rest’ seventh spot this season and fans will be excited for this one.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run goes on but the Gunners have drawn four of their last five games in all competitions. Unai Emery’s men may find it hard to keep tabs on this fluid Bournemouth side…

The north London outfit will be quietly confident of emerging victorious but 49/50 is short. Stick with Bournemouth to avoid defeat in front of an expectant home crowd.

TIP: Bournemouth to win OR draw @ 17/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth 2-1 Arsenal (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs Huddersfield Town

Wolves have won just one of their last five Premier League outings but the Molineux faithful will be expecting big things this weekend. On paper, this is definitely a very winnable game for the hosts…

The newly promoted side are currently mid-table after a hit and miss start to the campaign but 10/13 for Wolves to score two or more goals on Sunday afternoon is well worth taking.

Still second bottom of the table, Huddersfield have failed to inspire confidence in 2018/19. David Wagner’s side were somewhat unlucky to draw with West Ham last time out though after dominating for most of the game.

Punters backing the visitors may be tempted by the 7/4 for Huddersfield to avoid defeat this weekend. A positive result for Wagner’s men could be huge for momentum in the relegation battle.

TIP: Over 1.5 Wolves goals @ 10/13

PREDICTED SCORE: Wolves 2-0 Huddersfield (Priced at 24/5 with 888sport)

 

BURNLEY vs NEWCASTLE UNITED

The Premier League schedulers have left the best until last. Okay, not really but Burnley and Newcastle fans will both fancy their chances ahead of what is a tough match to call.

Burnley were solid at Turf Moor last season but the Clarets have struggled for the most part in 2018/19. 7/4 for Sean Dyche’s side to claim three points is worth a second look.

Meanwhile, Newcastle secured back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign prior to the international break. The Magpies will be quietly confident of notching a third successive triumph here.

Rafa Benitez will have a game plan and Newcastle could nick this one. However, opting for the under 2.5 goals line at 3/5 represents solid value. Monday night’s clash could be low-scoring.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/5

PREDICTED SCORE: Burnley 0-1 Newcastle (Priced at 13/2 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Birmingham City assistant manager and former Premier League striker James Beattie takes on Blues defender Harlee Dean in the Penalty Roulette challenge.

Will Southampton great Beattie prove he’s still got it or will he be outdone by rugged defender Dean, as the pair battle it out from 12 yards with rabonas, panekas and more!

We’ll be bringing you exclusive Birmingham City video content throughout the season, so stay tuned!

Birmingham – 19/20

Draw – 43/20

Hull – 16/5

Birmingham City’s incredible unbeaten run is over but the Blues have the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways when they host Hull City on Saturday afternoon. Birmingham are priced at 19/20 to claim three points at St Andrew’s in this clash.

Garry Monk’s men had won four league games in a row before last week’s defeat to Derby County and the home fans will be hoping for another victory. The Blues ran out 3-0 winners in this fixture last season – a good omen for fans backing Birmingham with 888sport.

27/25 for over 1.5 Birmingham goals is an excellent price. The hosts will want to put on a show for the ardent St Andrew’s crowd and Hull’s away record will give Garry Monk’s side confidence. The visitors have lost five of their last six on the road.

It will come as no surprise to see Lukas Jutkiewicz selected for 888sport’s special wincast. The Blues striker has been in superb form as of late and the 29-year-old could profit against an inconsistent Hull defence. 888sport customers can back Jutkiewicz to score in a Birmingham win at an enhanced 16/5 ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Monk’s men are heading in the right direction and another positive result looks likely here. 19/20 for a Blues triumph looks like the best bet.

Prediction: Blues 2-0 Hull 6/1

Bet of the day: Over 1.5 Birmingham goals 27/25

Outside punt: Birmingham to win both halves 27/5

Enhanced wincast: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score and Birmingham win 16/5

Derby – 10/11

Draw – 12/5

Birmingham – 3/1

Birmingham City will try to extend their impressive unbeaten run to 12 games when they visit Derby County on Saturday afternoon and are 3/1 to snatch a huge win at Pride Park.

Garry Monk’s side have won four Championship matches in a row and punters will fancy the visitors to push Derby close this weekend. The Rams were in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday night and Birmingham may benefit from that distraction.

The Blues snatched a draw in this fixture last season and 12/5 is a solid price for another close affair on Saturday. Monk’s men are full of confidence right now and an away win will see Birmingham climb above their opponents in the Championship table.

Lukas Jutkiewicz has scored eight league goals in 2018/19 and the 29-year-old could profit again this weekend. 888sport customers can back Jutkiewicz to score in a Birmingham win at an enhanced 8/1 ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Monk’s men are heading in the right direction and another positive result looks likely here. 22/25 for Birmingham to avoid defeat is worth considering but both teams to score could be the best bet at Pride Park.

Prediction: Derby 1-1 Blues (11/2)

Bet of the day: Both teams to score (41/50)

Outside punt: Birmingham to lead at half-time (17/5)

Enhanced wincast: Lukas Jutkiewicz to score and Birmingham win (8/1)

Birmingham 4/5

Draw 49/20 

Reading 18/5 

Blues are worthy odds-on 4/5 favs to claim all three points at home to Reading on Tuesday night. 

Monk’s men are nine matches unbeaten in the Championship and are up to 14th in the table after victory away to Stoke on Saturday.

The last six matches between these two teams have featured under 2.5 goals so the 4/5 on under 2.5 goals is worth considering if you fancy another low-scoring affair under the lights. 

Blues were rock solid defensively away to Stoke and now have the fourth-best defensive record in the Championship – get on the 13/10 about the hosts completing another shut-out.

The visitors bounced back from a couple of defeats to beat Millwall at the weekend but are still five points off Blues and could slip back into the relegation zone with defeat here.

Reading’s 21 goals conceded is one of the worst in the league. Blues’ 19/20 price to score over 1.5 is decent value. 

Lukas Jutkiewicz caused Stoke plenty of problems at the weekend. The striker features in our 3/1 enhanced wincast and is 7/4 to score anytime. 

Prediction: 2-0 7/1 

Bet of the day: Blues to be winning at half-time and full-time 37/20 

Outside punt: Jutkiewicz to score first in a Blues 2-0 win 20/1 

Enhanced wincast: Jutkiewicz to score and Blues to win 3/1