The Betfair Million

The Betfair Million - a seven-figure bonus offered by the betting exchange to any horse that wins the inaugural Betfair chase at Haydock on November 19, the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup - has really captured the imagination of the National Hunt world.

And, with the likes of Kicking King, Best Mate and any number of pretenders to the chasing crown setting their sights on the million, Betfair co-founder Andrew Black is delighted at the massive interest the bonus has generated.

Black said: 'I´m delighted the connections of some of the sport´s leading chasers are targeting the Betfair Million. The idea of Best Mate and Kicking King going head to head at Haydock is an exciting prospect. If one or two of the rising stars were to line up also then it would be a spine-tingling early season highlight.

'We answered racing´s call for a race like this to be staged and it would be a personal thrill to sign over a million pounds if a horse could achieve the realistic goal of winning the Betfair Chase, the King George and the Gold Cup.'

The Betfair Million will be distributed to connections in the following proportions if won - 75 per cent to the owner, 10 per cent to the trainer, 10 per cent to the jockey, and 5 per cent to the stable staff.

Betfair´s Sports and Horseracing PR manager Tony Calvin analyses the leading contenders for the most valuable, and winnable, bonus in the history of the sport.

KICKING KING: Announced himself as a potential top-notcher when winning the 2m4f John Durkan Memorial by 11 lengths from Rathgar Beau in December 2004, and is now confirmed as one of the best chasers of recent seasons after victories in the King George, Cheltenham Gold Cup and most recently when sauntering home by 3 lengths in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April. Doesn´t look to have any obvious chinks in his armour apart from the odd fencing error - his last-fence Kempton blunder aside, he is a pretty sound jumper - and one suspects he could hold his own in any company from Champion Chase to Gold Cup distance. Is the favourite to win the Betfair Million, and Haydock report that the ground is likely to be good for the Betfair Chase on November 19, which will be in his favour.

BEST MATE: Hasn´t raced since returning with a bug after finishing a 7 length runner-up to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, a subsequent bloody nose ruling him out of a crack at a fourth consecutive Gold Cup success. It would be churlish to pick holes in the form of his three Cheltenham successes, though many have tried, and he is clearly a highly credible contender for the Betfair Million if back to the brilliant best that saw him emerge as the nation´s favourite racehorse. Has never raced at Haydock, but has won at Sandown over hurdles and fences, though interestingly was beaten by a certain Monsignor at the Esher track back in 2000.

TRABOLGAN: Runner-up in the 2003 Cheltenham Festival bumper, and has always been held in the highest regard by the Henderson camp. Confirmed himself as one of the candidates for top chasing honours this season when winning the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival and, with only 11 runs under his belt, is entitled to improve a great deal. Has well over a stone to find with the likes of Kicking King though, and disappointed on heavy ground at Haydock in January.

GREY ABBEY: Was the second best staying chaser around last season judged on runaway wins in the Pillar Property Chase and the Betfair Bowl at Aintree, on the latter occasion beating First Gold by 12 lengths. With that in mind, this front-runner is clearly a leading contender for all three races that comprise the Betfair Million.

OLLIE MAGERN: Swept on to the novice chasing scene last autumn when putting up bold front-running and superb fencing performances for one so inexperienced. Runner-up to Celestial Gold in the Hennessy, he then short-headed Trabolgan in the Feltham at Kempton and signed off for the season when a 2 length 2nd to It Takes Time at Lingfield. Outstanding prospect, but would not appreciate soft ground.

IRIS´S GIFT: Beat the mighty Baracouda in the 2004 Stayers´ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has begun his climb up the chasing ranks with victories in moderate novice contents at Market Rasen, and at Bangor on Saturday. Clearly has the engine to trouble, and beat the best, but will need to show a greater aptitude and fluency for fencing, but that will surely come with experience. Fascinating prospect.

MOSCOW FLYER: Short-headed by Rathgar Beau in the Kerrygold Champion Chase when last seen on a racecourse, bringing an end to a remarkable run of performances that either saw him win or fail to complete. The champion 2m chaser, his participation in the Betfair Million is highly unlikely - he has never raced beyond 2m4f - but after seeing him beat Le Roi Miguel by 16 lengths in the 2m4f John Smith´s Melling Chase at Aintree in April, I´d be inclined to give it a shot were he mine. After all, he has nothing more to prove over the minimum trip.

DOUZE DOUZE: Hasn´t enjoyed a happy time of it on his English visits, when he has jumped poorly. But clearly warrants consideration on his French form, though it seems he is ideally suited by less than 3m on heavy ground. Has the Peterborough Chase as his imminent target.

CYRLIGHT: Has shown an impressive level of form for a five-year-old (even allowing for the precocity of French breds) but suffered a rare reverse when second in a 2m6f Grade 2 Autueil hurdle last time. However, that form is put into context when you see that Rule Supreme finished 6 lengths away in third. Was unbeaten in 10 chasing starts before going hurdling on his last four outings and, if deemed experienced enough to take on the big boys - connections were still calling him a 'baby' last year - he is clearly one to take note of.

WELL CHIEF: Beat Kicking King by a length in the 2004 Arkle and did not disappoint connections in his second season over fences. Lost nothing in defeat when chasing home Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer at Newbury and Cheltenham respectively, and signed off for the season when beating the former by 4 lengths at Sandown. Has never raced beyond 2m1f, but some good judges see him as a King George contender.

KINGSCLIFF: Was many people´s fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his strong-finishing second to Kicking King in the King George, only for a lack-lustre gallop in the run-up to the big race to see him withdrawn. Very disappointing when last seen at Punchestown in April, and has run disappointingly at Haydock in the past, but a peak-form Kingscliff would be a live contender for the Betfair Million.

BEEF OR SALMON: Top-class staying chaser at his best, as a November, 2004 defeat of Kicking King and a 7 length defeat of Best Mate in the Lexus amply illustrates. However, seems pretty reliant on soft ground (though he has run some fair races on good). Should be all the better for his spin in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh last weekend and the Betfair Chase is now being considered.

ASHLEY BROOK: Stamina is unproven beyond 2m4f but established himself as one of the best novice chasers around last season.May well have won the Arkle but for blundering at the last fence but put the record straight in emphatic style when a superb front running performance saw him take the Grade 1 Novice Chase at Aintree by 16 lengths from War Of Attrition. Connections are apparently seriously considering the Betfair Chase, and a crack at the Million.

KAUTO STAR: Ex-French chaser who had Ruby Walsh purring that he was a 'machine' after he beat Foreman by 9 lengths on his British debut over 2m2f at Newbury in December. Was made Arkle favourite after that, only to injure himself at Exeter subsequently (fell, remounted and was only beaten a short-head). Is held in the highest regard by his trainer, who is leaning towards the 2m-route though.

WAR OF ATTRITION: Disappointed at Cheltenham and arguably when a distant second at Aintree too, but the high-class novice hurdler proved he can cut it over fences with a length defeat of Watson Lake in the 2m Grade 1 Swordlestown novice chase at Punchestown in April. Connections reckon the horse will come into his own when sent over a trip. Haydock would be a good place to find out.

TAKE THE STAND: Started off this season a distant 5th of 8 in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle. Obviously will strip fitter for that initial outing and, judged on his 5 length second to Kicking King in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is worthy of respect in the highest class. His two efforts to date at Haydock have been disappointing though.

PIZARRO: If he could put in an error-free round, then he would probably record a 170-rated effort, instead of those in the low 150s. As it is this eight-year-old, who looked a potential star in his novice chasing days, continues to run adequately in defeat despite making howlers.

OUR VIC: Has failed to complete in his last three starts, though he probably would have won the Bonusprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham off a mark of 149 in December but for falling at the last when in front. Stays well and there is clearly more to come from this seven-year-old, though he is probably a stone off the best.

LORD TRANSCEND: As long ago as 2002 trainer Howard Johnson was calling Lord Transcend 'the one' and he signalled that he was a horse to keep on the right side of this season when beating First Gold by 10 lengths in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January. Was getting 17lb from the runner-up there and clearly needs to progress, but as he has only raced nine times in his life I´d say that was a probability rather than a possibility. And everyone loves a front-running grey.

COLONEL FRANK: Finished for the season after falling in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton but had earlier established himself as one of the most improved chasers in training when beating Calling Brave and Lord Sam (themselves both good prospects this term) at Sandown in December. Clearly, a high-class staying prospect.

KING HARALD: Started off last season rated only 110 yet ended the campaign probably posting an effort two and a half stone better than that when beating Lacdoudal by 4 lengths in a 2m5f handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival; stays 3m+ and it will be interesting to see how this seven-year-old cuts it in the top races.

CELESTIAL GOLD: Beat Ollie Magern by 1.5 lengths in the Hennessy and improved again when a close third to Farmer Jack and Strong Flow in the Aon Chase, before running a disappointing 7th in the Gold Cup; already has form that entitles him to respect in the top class races. He has only raced nine times and is entitled to improve.

LORD OF ILLUSION: Recorded one of the better efforts by a staying novice chaser when beating Baron Windrush by 12 lengths over 3m2f at Cheltenham on New Year´s Day, after which he was quoted at 6-1 with some bookies for the Royal & SunAlliance. Missed Cheltenham because of a poor gallop, but if starting the season in rude health shouldn´t be lightly dismissed.

KEEN LEADER: Loves Haydock and posted his career-best effort when beating Truckers Tavern by 17 lengths in the Tommy Whittle in December 2003. His trainer thought 'there still could be a Gold Cup in him' after failing by only 1.25 lengths to give Kelami 24lb at Cheltenham back in March. Soft ground would make him a danger to all.

SIR REMBRANDT: Placed in the last two Gold Cups, which obviously marks him down as a high class chaser, but is increasingly seen as a spring horse. With that in mind, an unlikely Betfair Million winner but soft ground puts him into contention in any company.

HEDGEHUNTER: The Grand National winner is likely to have his campaign targeted towards Aintree once again. But this is a chaser who would only have 10lb or so to find with the likes of Kicking King over 3m, so don´t dismiss him lightly if connections are tempted by the Betfair Million.

IRISH HUSSAR: Apparently wants soft ground to show his best but his good ground form isn´t bad, and was beaten only 3.25 lengths when giving Kelami 17lb at Cheltenham in March

ROYAL AUCLAIR: Won first time out last season and, a first fence fall aside on his final start at Sandown, was the model of high class staying consistency last year. Third in the Hennessy, fourth in the Gold Cup and runner-up in the Grand National, he is clearly an owner´s dream. A million would confirm it in some style.