Royale Pagaille bids to continue his love affair with Haydock in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase this weekend.
Venetia Williams’ stable star has won five of his six starts at the track including the 2022 and 2021 renewals of this race and the Grade 1 Betfair Chase last time out in November.
As a genuine top-level performer, the 11-year-old has to concede a stack of weight to his seven rivals but, crucially, looks set to get his favoured testing conditions.
Trelawne, who is rated by the handicapper as the next best in the race, boasts course form after landing the Class 2 Graduation Chase on seasonal reappearance.
Despite being 1lb out of the weights, Mr Vango could be the principal danger to Royale Pagaille after grinding out victory in the London National at Sandown last month.
Iwilldoit rolled back the years to finish a fine third in the Welsh Grand National last time out and Chambard continues to plug on at the age of 13.
Harry Derham is hoping expensive recruit Imagine can bounce back from a poor outing in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, while Bill Baxter and Richmond Lake complete the field for Saturday’s 14:30.
The latest Peter Marsh Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Peter Marsh Handicap Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: Venetia Williams’ top-class chaser ROYALE PAGAILLE has built up a fine record round here and earns a confident vote to follow up his Betfair Chase heroics and complete a fine hat-trick in this event. Sandown-scorer Mr Vango remains quite unexposed and could emerge as the main danger in receipt of stacks of weight, with Iwilldoit, Trelawne and Imagine all worthy of consideration too for minor honours.
*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
Peter Marsh Handicap Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase 2025.
Royale Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 11 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Mud lover who took his record here to 5-6 when seeing off Grey Dawning by 2 lengths to land a second Betfair Chase in November. Also bidding for a hat-trick in this event (in 2021 and 2022) and the one to beat again.
*****
Trelawne
Trainer: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Low-mileage 9-y-o who resumed with success in 2m5f conditions event here in November. Backed it up with a solid fourth of 8 in handicap chase at Ascot (23.8f, soft) 28 days ago so he merits consideration.
***
Iwilldoit
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Dylan Johnston Age: 12 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Welsh National winner in 2021 and this veteran returned from 10 months off with a creditable third of 15 in that race at Chepstow (30.6f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Can make his presence felt again here.
***
Imagine
Trainer: Harry Derham Jockey: Paul O’Brien Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Looked an exciting chasing prospect when successful at Fairyhouse and Punchestown (Grade 2) last November. Subsequently sold out of Gordon Elliott’s yard for 320,000 euros but pulled up on yard debut in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November. This low-mileage sort remains capable of better.
***
Chambard
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Miss Lucy Turner Age: 13 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Won the Kim Muir at 2022 Cheltenham Festival and and added another valuable handicap to his CV in the Becher at Aintree over a year ago. Hasn’t fired subsequently, including on return at Cheltenham.
**
Richmond Lake
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Had a prolific period in 2023 when completing a four-timer and back on song this winter when in the frame at Aintree in Grand Sefton and 2m4f handicap. Not ruled out stepping back up in trip.
***
Mr Vango
Trainer: Sara Bradstock Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Has quickly made up into a very useful chaser and made a winning return in 3m4f handicap chase at Sandown last month. Races off a 5 lb higher mark here but he scored cosily there and is a likely player.
****
Bill Baxter
Trainer: Warren Greatrex Jockey: D. P. Davis Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Winner of the Topham at Aintree in 2023. Lost his way over fences subsequently but better signs back hurdling this winter, fifth in 3m Chepstow handicap. 9 lb out of the handicap here though.
**
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- An 11/2 Saturday shout leads Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
- Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday include a 4/1 shout
- 7/2 play among Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Saturday’s ITV action
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