Peter Marsh Handicap Chase tips & runners guide to Haydock 2.40

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai seeks a seventh course victory in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase on Saturday – but the card is subject to an inspection at 8am.

The veteran grey showed there is still plenty left in the tank in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase last November and drops back into handicap company with his mark down to 154 from a career-high of 173 nearly four years ago.

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Bristol De Mai has to give lumps of weight to his five rivals, but the lowest-rated horses in the Saturday’s 14:40, Blaklion and Cooper’s Cross, are dragged out of the handicap.

Peter Marsh Handicap Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.

Peter Marsh Handicap Chase runners

Bristol De Mai

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Daryl Jacob Age: 12 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Superb record around here, winning Grade 1 Betfair Chase 3 times and winner of this as a 6-y-o. Signs of decline last season though did manage to win Grand National Trial here (28.4f) off 5 lb higher. Far from disgraced in this year’s renewal of Betfair Chase on return and bold bid expected.

*****

Empire Steel

Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs

Enhanced good record when mud is flying when successful at Kelso (21.6f) in February. Caught the eye when mid-field over inadequate trip on his return at Aintree (19.9f) and this more his bag.

****

Dr Kananga

Trainer: Ben Clarke Jockey: Ben Jones Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Progressive chaser last season, winning 3 times. After an encouraging return over hurdles and a subsequent wind op, failed to meet expectations when well held in Becher Chase at Aintree last time. Bounce back called for.

***

Fontaine Collonges

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 8 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Ended promising first season over fences with Lingfield success and she made light of a 10 lb rise when bagging C&D handicap on her return. Far from disgraced at Kempton since and remains of interest.

****

Blaklion

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 14 Weight: 10st 4lbs

Veteran chaser who scored twice here last winter. Well held since, however, including back at this venue last time. 2 lb out of handicap.

Cooper’s Cross

Trainer: Stuart Coltherd Jockey: Sam Coltherd Age: 8 Weight: 10st 0lbs

Progressing well and made a winning return from 6 months off in 7-runner handicap at Carlisle (2½m) in October. At least as good when placed at Aintree/Musselburgh since but needs to take another step forward from 6 lb out of the handicap. Headgear on.

***