Category: News

Haydock Park stages the Betfair Chase on Saturday November 21, with Grey Dawning aiming to repeat last year’s success. It’s one of the biggest National Hunt races before Christmas, and the defending champion looks set to attract plenty of support again in 2026.

Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old heads the betting at 4-5 with leading bookmakers. There’s every chance that price will get shorter as the race approaches. Grey Dawning has won six of his 14 starts over fences and now faces another test over three miles and one-and-a-half furlongs.

Anyone planning to have an online bet on the race should take time to compare the available sites before opening an account. A website offering detailed reviews of UK horse racing betting sites can be a useful place to begin that research.

His latest appearance came at Aintree in April, where he edged out Solness by a neck. That victory followed a fourth-place finish in the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The closing stages proved too much for him at Cheltenham, where the race is run over a furlong further than the Betfair Chase.

Twelve months ago, Grey Dawning was sent off the 10-11 favourite at Haydock. Royale Pagaille had beaten him in the 2024 running, but he turned that form around with a two-and-three-quarter-length victory. A similar performance would make him hard to stop this time, and he remains the horse the others have to beat.

Salver is next in the market at 5-1 and could appeal to those looking for an each-way option. Trained by Gary and Josh Moore, the six-year-old has shown enough to suggest he can make his presence felt at this level.

His record over fences stands at two wins from six starts, with the latest coming in a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Windsor in February. He then picked up second place in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Salver crossed the line third but was promoted after runner-up Final Demand was disqualified.

That Cheltenham run came despite a difficult afternoon. Salver was kicked before the start and also met trouble during the race. A clearer passage at Haydock could help him get closer to the favourite.

He finished last season with third place in Aintree’s Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase, coming home 11-and-a-half lengths behind Gold Dancer. A mistake at the final fence cost him the chance of finishing nearer. His jumping will need to hold up better if he’s to take this prize.

Iroko is another worth a look at around 9-1, although this represents a sharp drop in trip. The eight-year-old, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, was runner-up to I Am Maximus in this year’s Grand National at Aintree.

That followed fourth place in the 2025 National, so he’s already put together two good efforts in that race. The distance there is a mile longer than the Betfair Chase, though. His form over trips closer to Saturday’s distance needs a closer look.

At this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Iroko could manage only tenth in the Ultima Handicap over three miles and a furlong. There was an explanation for that disappointing effort, with a dirty scope recorded the following day.

His most recent win came at Ascot last December in the Class 2 Howden Graduation Chase. Only three runners lined up, but he still had to get the better of odds-on favourite Firefox, which he did to cause an upset.

Haydock is a course where Iroko has twice finished second. His runner-up effort in last year’s Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase was his first outing after wind surgery. Another Grand National bid is the longer-term aim, but his record here suggests he could still give a good account of himself.

The Big Westerner could also interest each-way backers, with online bookmakers offering 9-1 about Henry de Bromhead’s runner. The seven-year-old has made just two appearances over fences, winning one of them, so there’s still scope for more to come.

That success came in a novices’ chase at Limerick last December. A second place in a beginners’ chase was followed by a return to hurdles, with another runner-up finish in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival. There’s clearly ability there, and a place could be within reach.

Previous winners such as Kauto Star and Cue Card show the quality usually associated with this race. The challengers have their claims, but Grey Dawning’s form makes him a worthy favourite as he bids to land the Betfair Chase for the second year running.

The Grand National remains the ultimate spectacle in the racing calendar, a four-mile marathon that tests the limits of both horse and rider. The 2026 iteration certainly didn’t disappoint the thousands gathered on the Merseyside turf, offering up the usual mix of high-stakes drama and tactical brilliance.

 

While the race has seen several changes in recent years to improve safety and welfare, the core challenge of navigating the famous Aintree fences remains as formidable as ever. This year, the story was one of patience and clinical execution, culminating in a performance that will be talked about in racing circles for seasons to come.

The King of Aintree

The 2026 Randox Grand National was always going to be a test of raw stamina, but few expected the sheer authority displayed by I Am Maximus. Under a masterful, patient ride from Paul Townend, the eight-year-old loomed large as the field turned for home on April 11.

 

While others were beginning to feel the pinch of the Aintree slog, Townend’s mount looked like he had another gear entirely, eventually pulling clear to secure his place in the history books. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of intent from a horse that seems to thrive when the ground gets testing and the trip gets long

The Mullins Dynasty

Willie Mullins has essentially cracked the code for the modern Grand National. This victory further cements the stranglehold his Closutton yard has on the staying division, marking another year where the Irish-trained runners seemed a cut above their counterparts.

 

It is becoming a familiar sight at the business end of these major festivals: the Mullins runners moving with a fluency and confidence that comes from meticulous preparation. He has mastered the art of peaking a horse for the spring. This ensures they have the resilience to handle the unique demands of the Aintree fences while maintaining enough in the tank for that final, gruelling sprint. This dominance reflects a broader trend in the sport, where the strategic depth of the Irish stables continues to set a formidable standard for others to chase.

A Change in Tempo

The physical demands of the Aintree track have shifted slightly in recent years, and the 2026 renewal highlighted how these changes are altering the race’s complexion. With the field size reduced and the first fence moved closer to the start, the traditional “cavalry charge” has become a more measured affair. However, this hasn’t stripped the race of its difficulty. The Canal Turn and Becher’s Brook still require a high degree of respect and precision.

 

This year, the race was won on rhythm; horses that failed to find their jumping stride early on were quickly found out as the pace remained relentless. The safety modifications have undoubtedly made the course more manageable for the modern thoroughbred, but the core challenge of navigating thirty fences over four miles remains a supreme test of a horse’s character.

Looking Ahead

While the dust has barely settled on the Merseyside turf, the racing world has little time to pause for breath. We have already seen the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 18, which kept the marathon momentum going, but the real focus now shifts across the Irish Sea. The Punchestown Festival, running from April 28 to May 2, serves as the traditional, high-class finale to the National Hunt season. It is a week defined by quality over quantity, where we expect to see superstars like Gaelic Warrior and the remarkable Lossiemouth looking to put a stamp on their respective divisions.

For many fans, the appeal lies in seeing if the Aintree form holds up in County Kildare. The William Hill Champion Chase on the Tuesday and the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday are the standout features, and many will be keeping a close eye on the NetBet Sport odds to see how the market reacts to the latest stable news. Whether it is Marine Nationale making a long-awaited return or Willie Mullins unleashing his next wave of novice talent, the coming days offer a perfect bookend to a spectacular month of jumping

Conclusion

The 2026 Grand National will be remembered as a tactical masterclass, a race where everything aligned for I Am Maximus to show his true potential. It served as a reminder of why this event holds such a special place in the hearts of the public, successfully blending long standing tradition with a modern, safer approach to the sport.

 

As the action moves toward the final festivals of the spring, the performance of Willie Mullins and his team has set a daunting benchmark for next season. For now, though, we can simply appreciate the achievement of a horse that has well and truly earned his place among the Aintree legends.

 

The Prestbury Cup is an annual competition that takes place between British trainers and Irish trainers at the Cheltenham Festival. The team with the most winners across the 28 races at the BHA run meeting scoops the trophy.

Each team is assigned a celebrity captain every year, often someone outside of racing. Their job is to promote the competition and to represent the winning team when the trophy is handed out at the end of day four of the biggest week in the sport.

The Prestbury Cup was first contested in 2014. It was won by the home team 15-12 in the opening year. Britain defended their crown a year later in 2015, but they have not won the competition outright since. The best they have done is finish in a tie in 2019.

Ireland have won the last five consecutive Prestbury Cups. Their most dominant performance came in 2021 when they prevailed 23-5.

Ireland Were Far Too Strong In 2024

The visitors, Ireland, were far too strong for the hosts in 2024, winning the Prestbury Cup 18-9. There were only 27 races across the week, as the Cross Country Chase was abandoned due to a waterlogged course.

Ireland won the feature race on each day of the meeting in 2024, with wins in the Champion Hurdle (State Man), Queen Mother Champion Chase (Captain Guiness), Stayers’ Hurdle (Teahupoo) and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Galopin Des Champs). The only championship race they did not win was the Ryanair Chase, as that went the way of British trainer Dan Skelton, who prevailed with Protektorat.

Irish trainer Willie Mullins played a big role in Ireland’s success in the 2024 Prestbury Cup. With seven winners, he was the leading trainer at the meeting. He also capped off the season with a victory in the Randox Grand National.

Irish Team Have a Strong Team This Year

The defending champions will travel across the Gloucestershire-based racecourse with another strong team this year. They dominate the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. As of 24th January, defending champion Galopin Des Champs is the 4/5 favourite in Betways horse racing betting markets for the Blue Riband event of the week.

On day one of the meeting, Salvator Mundi may be able to get Ireland off to a winning start in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Mullins’ hurdler won the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on his last run.

Teahupoo will defend his crown in the Stayers’ Hurdle on day three of the meeting. Gordon Elliott’s horse dominated the division last season, winning three Grade One races. He ended his campaign with a triumph at the Punchestown Festival. The eight-year-old will be bidding to become just the fourth horse to win back-to-back renewals of the 3m hurdles contest at the meeting.

As they often do, Ireland dominate the entries for the mares’ only races at the Festival. Brighterdaysahead of Lossiemouth could be set to dual in the Mares’ Hurdle, while in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, Maughreen, a relative of former Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen, goes into it with a big reputation.

Team Britain Hoping to Bounce Back

With Skelton, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls all finding form heading into the Cheltenham Festival, there is much more optimism from the British team this season going into the Prestbury Cup.

Skelton leads the GBR Trainers’ Championship standings in his pursuit of a maiden title. He has already netted over £2 million in prize money in what is turning out to be his best season since leaving his job as Nicholls’ assistant and picking up his own licence. The Lodge Hill trainer will saddle Grey Dawning in the Gold Cup, Protektorat in the Ryanair Chase and The New Lion in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle. All three of those horses have strong claims.

Henderson has arguably the strongest team of the British trainers for the Festival. As you can read in the BBC race report, Constitution Hill is set to return to the Champion Hurdle following his victory in the Christmas Hurdle. Jonbon will get his first shot at the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Sir Gino will put his unbeaten record over fences on the line in the Arkle Trophy.

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days between Tuesday, 11^th March and Friday, 15^thMarch. The feature race of the week, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is scheduled for the final day at 15:30.

European football fans have been treated to a thrilling season so far, with drama unfolding across the continent. It’s becoming increasingly harder to tell which direction title races will go in, and that’s been reflected in the sports betting odds.

Domestically, the title races in some of Europe’s top leagues are shaping up to be among the most competitive in recent memory. At the same time, the first-ever edition of the revamped Champions League has added another layer of intrigue. The new Swiss-style group stage format has brought unpredictability and excitement to Europe’s premier club competition, demanding more from teams than ever before.

With the pressure mounting on clubs to perform both domestically and on the European stage, finding the right balance is crucial.

A deep run in the Champions League can inspire teams to greater heights or risk derailing their pursuit of league glory. As we approach the season’s midpoint, the battle for supremacy is heating up in several leagues, where fine margins could decide who lifts the trophy in May.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best title races across Europe, exploring the key teams and storylines that have captivated fans so far.

Premier League

We begin close to home as we assess whether or not Arne Slot can capture the Premier League title in his season at Liverpool.

The Dutchman, who took over at Anfield last summer to replace Jurgen Klopp, has enjoyed a flying start to life in the Premier League, but some recent dropped points against Newcastle United, Fulham and Nottingham Forest mean that despite their lead, the job is far from done.

Manchester City’s struggles have all but ruled them out of a fifth straight league title, but Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have been denied trophies by City in the last two successive seasons, will be hungry to lead the chasing pack as they look for their first title since 2004.

La Liga

At one point in the season, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona looked as if they would run away with the La Liga title, romping through Real Madrid in the German’s first El Classico and gaining the ascendancy as they chase their first Spanish crown since Xavi’s departure.

That said, some squandered points have allowed the remaining oligarchy of La Liga’s Madrid sides to sneak their way back into the picture.

Atletico Madrid surprisingly lead the table at the time of writing. Still, just one point separates them from Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, who also have one eye on securing Champions League qualification.

Diego Simeone’s side will look to win a third La Liga title in 10 years, but El Cholo’s side know they will need to keep working hard at the back, having just lost one game so far and conceded the fewest goals.

Serie A

Your guess is as good as ours as to who wins Serie A this season. Antonio Conte’s Napoli side have a good chance of making it two league titles in three years, but reigning Scudetto champions Inter Milan, and underdogs Atalanta, have also put together impressive winning runs.

The likes of Milan, Roma, and Juventus have struggled in the early stages of the Italian season, with Milan hoping former Porto boss Sergio Conceição can inject some new life into a depleted squad.

However, it’s hard to look past Conte in his first season at any job. He’s dominated Italy before with the Old Lady and now has the chance to win another league title in Naples, even if he does lose Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, after the Georgian verbally agreed to join Paris Saint Germain.