Betfair Chase Guide

Trainer - Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey - Sam Twiston-Davies

The first runner of the Grade One is Ballyoptic who seems to be in the form of his life this season jumping his fences perfectly and showing clear stamina.

He is looking for his hat-trick in this contest after winning in a Class 2 Handicap Chase on his seasonal debut and then landing the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase next time out.

He does hold strong credentials but it does look as though this field holds to much class and he looks the outsider for a reason.

Trainer - Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey - Daryl Jacob

Bristol De Mai for Nigel Twiston-Davies is a dual consecutive winner of the race looking to make it three in a row with this race being like a home tie for him.

Horses in the past that have gone on to complete the hat-trick in the race include the mighty Cue Card between 2013 and 2016 and before that the super Kauto Star landed the contest four times between 2006 and 2011 and he could put his name amongst these greats on Saturday.

Bristol De Mai as usual had a great start to the season last year but in the middle part was below his best, however he salvaged his season with a superb run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup finishing a narrow third behind winner Al Boum Photo.

His last run of the season was again below par not running well in the Betway Bowl at the Grand National meeting and his trainer this season is hoping he can stay at his best consistently throughout the season.

Big chance.

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Bryony Frost

FRODON last season started his season off in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree which he landed last season in his usual front running style that really got his rider Bryony Frost dreaming of some big runs in big contests for the season.

He then went on to race at Cheltenham four times in a row winning three of his events and finishing second in the other.

After his seasonal debut at Aintree Frodon finished a decent second in the BetVictor Gold Cup behind Baron Alco, Next time out in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Prestbury Park he went one better to land the Grade Three contest in superb style.

With dreams of heading to the festival he needed one more prep run and that came in the Grade Two Cotswalds Chase where he beat some top class Grade One horses and from there it was a decision of which black type race Frodon would be entered in.

The Grade One Ryanair Chase was the preferred option over the shorter trip of two and a half miles and in a fairytale story for jockey Bryony Frost the little seven year old crossed the line first and saw history made at the Cheltenham festival with Frost being the first female rider to win a Grade One over fences at the festival.

He was back this season in the Old Roan Chase again and was less than impressive finishing a weak third but with jumping his strength and many of the fences taken out of the race you may put it down to that.

He will be much better for the run but now tackling a huge step up in trip demands much extra.

Trainer - Colin Tizzard

Jockey - Robbie Power

Colin Tizzard's staying star was ran frequently last season and was muddled about with what distance he is best at and it took until the final race of the season for the trainer to finally see the light.

The seven year old raced six times throughout the season, putting in some stellar performances at 2 mile 3f to 2 mile 6f with a superb second behind Defi Du Seuil at Cheltenham in the JLT Novices Chase and also a good win in the Dipper Novices Chase earlier in the season at the same track.

However, his final contest of the season was at Aintree on his first step up to 3 miles 1 furlong in the Grade One Novices Chase and this was the race that put him in the 2020 Gold Cup frame.

He lead all the way and when normally he was being outpaced he revelled in the extra trip and put the field to shame including RSA Chase winner Topofthegame.

This season with the Gold Cup the big aim he started his campaign off at Carlisle in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase over 2 and a half miles and he put in an effortless round of jumping to and the contest with ease.

This contest is much harder but he looks the one to beat from that run already this season and if winning this has to surely go favourite for the Gold Cup.