Grey Dawning Sparkles in Betfair Chase

The Betfair Chase saw Derby Sale graduate Grey Dawning produce a dominant display in Britain’s first Grade 1 event of the season.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old was a brave second in last year’s renewal, but with more patient tactics applied, he was eased into the race by rider Harry Skelton, and asserted inside the final 100 yards to run out a two-and-three-quarter-length winner.

It was a second top level victory for the grey, after his memorable success in the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

He was winning in the colours of Robert Kirkland, and connections are now entitled to dream of Cheltenham Gold Cup glory next March, for which he is a live contender based on his Haydock performance.

Grey Dawning is a graduate of the 2020 Derby Sale, where he was purchased from Timmy Hillman’s Castledillon Stud by Brendan Bashford Bloodstock for €40,000.

On the same afternoon, Store sale graduate Jango Baie announced himself a leading King George VI Chase contender with a runaway success in the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot.

The six-year-old was making his seasonal debut on Saturday, but proved far too strong for his four rivals and produced a performance that makes him a strong contender in open Grade 1 company this season.

It was a third win over fences for the Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old, who won a dramatic Grade 1 Arkle Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

He was purchased in May 2022 from John Bleahen’s Lakefield Farm by Matt Gahan for €30,000, and was subsequently purchased at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale having finished second in his four-year-old maiden for Michael Goff.

Across in the US on Saturday evening there was Grade 1 success for the admirable Fil Dor who was having his first start for trainer Richard Hendriks. The talented dual purpose performer was last seen contesting the American Grand National on his final start for Robcour and Gordon Elliott, and he proved too strong for his eight rivals in the Colonial Cup Stakes at Camden Racecourse in South Carolina.

It was a seventh career win for Fil Dor, who made headlines at the Andy & Gemma Brown Dispersal Sale last year, when he emerged as the second highest priced horse at €620,000.

The father-and-son combination of Chris and Freddie Gordon enjoyed a memorable treble at Haydock, and it was initiated by November National Hunt Sale graduate Diamond Hunter who remains unbeaten over hurdles having won the opening Grade 2 Novice Hurdle.

He was a €22,000 purchase from Charles and Aileen Persse’s Kells Lodge Stud by Beech Farm, and his next assignment is likely to be the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

It was a family affair in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown as brothers Connor and Daniel King combined to secure their biggest success with Store sale graduate Oscars Brother.

The seven-year-old son of Malinas jumped with supreme accuracy in front, and galloped on resolutely to land the valuable three-mile contest.

It was a fourth career success for Oscars Brother, who won a Listed novice hurdle last season, and is owned by the Mak King Racing Syndicate, whose members include the parents of the winning trainer and rider.

Oscars Brother was purchased in 2021 from Hillview Stud by Richard King for €8,000.