Rachael Blackmore Exclusive: Exciting Betfair Chase in prospect and some big races in Ireland

• Rachael Blackmore previews a big weekend of racing for Betfair

• All eyes on what could be an exciting Betfair Chase on Saturday

• Some big races in Ireland including the return of Lossiemouth

• It's Safer Gambling Week - bet at your best with Betfair's SG tools

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Exciting Betfair Chase in prospect

The Betfair Chase (15:00 Haydock) takes centre stage on Saturday, and it looks like it's going to be another fantastic race!

It's a race that has a rich roll of honour, including Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti, Bristol De Mai, Imperial Commander, A Plus Tard and, of course, Kauto Star, who won it four times.

The first two from last year's race, Royale Pagaille and Grey Dawning, are back again, and the Skeltons and Grey Dawning will obviously be trying to reverse places with Venetia Williams' horse.  He made a mistake at the final fence last year which could have been the difference between winning and losing.

The Irish National winner Haiti Couleurs could be a big danger to both.  He has to prove that he is up to Grade 1 class, but he is progressive and he has race fitness on his side.

Gordon Elliott sends over Stellar Story, runner-up in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March, who is in the mix, while Handstands, second to Resplendent Grey in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase on his debut this season, can't be discounted either.

If the rain that is forecast does arrive, then Royale Pagaille will have his chance enhanced.  He has won the last two renewals of the race, and he will be trying to join some of the Betfair Chase greats in winning a third.

But Grey Dawning has been prepared for this race.  Dan Skelton has said that they will have no excuses if they don't win it, and the way that his horses have been running, it's hard not to side with him.  It's going to be a very exciting race. 

Lossiemouth returns and all eyes on Sunday's John Durkan

In Ireland, Punchestown stages its first Grade 1 races of the season.  In the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle (14:10) on Saturday, Lossiemouth has just three rivals, but she should be able to contend with them all.  She is top class, and she looked as good as ever in winning at Cheltenham and at Aintree last spring.

Earlier in the day, I will be keeping a close eye on Koktail Divin in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase.  He is a lovely big, well-balanced horse, and I always felt that he would take to fences well.

I thought he ran a very nice race on his chasing debut at Down Royal when he finished second behind Romeo Coolio.  Four of the fences were omitted because of the low sun, but he jumped the fences that he had to jump well, and he could have a big future as a chaser.  He should improve for his first run, and you would expect him to be in the mix here.

The John Durkan Chase (15:00) is the highlight at Punchestown on Sunday and it looks like it's going to be a cracking race, with the Gold Cup winner, the Ryanair Chase winner and the Aintree Grand National winner all set to line up against each other. 

Gaelic Warrior runs well at Punchestown, going right-handed, and he finished off last season impressively with wins at Sandown and at Aintree. 

Henry runs Heart Wood, who finished nine lengths behind a very impressive Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, so he will need to improve again. But he was good in winning at Punchestown on his first run this season, so has race fitness in his side, so he could go well. 

Now read Paul Nicholls' preview of his Saturday runners on Betfair Chase day