Tipsters and experts giving Peter Marsh Chase tips on the now downgraded Premier Handicap at Haydock Park over an extended 3m 1f on Saturday (3:15) come with a caveat. Wintry weather and widespread frost mean this race meeting is under threat of abandonment for the second season on the spin. If the card can survive the cold snap, then it’s hard to get away from ROYALE PAGAILLE who loves the course and has won this twice before.
Trained by Venetia Williams for Rich & Susannah Ricci, the 10-year-old son of Blue Bresil landed the 2021 and 2022 editions. It was then a limited handicap. The form of Royale Pagaille’s second Peter Marsh success received a timely boost when the runner-up, Sam Brown, scored in the rearranged Veterans’ Series Final at Warwick last weekend.
What has the leading betting sites in the UK fearing yet another Merseyside success is his latest effort. After previously being found wanting in Grade 1 company, Royale Pagaille put in a career best in the Betfair Chase. His November defeat of Bravemansgame over course and distance is a level above anything previously achieved in handicaps.
Royale Pagaille has three of his six rivals running from out of the weights here. That’s because he once again has a career high mark of 166. His Haydock record speaks for itself, though. As Royale Pagaille won it off 163 two years ago, a 3lb higher rating won’t faze him. That is why William Hill go 2/1 about his chances of yet another Merseyside victory.
Famous Bridge & Elvis Mail Other Peter Marsh Chase Tips to Consider
If, for some reason, the favourite doesn’t fire around his happy hunting ground, then the market says FAMOUS BRIDGE can capitalise. Already a dual course and distance winner, Nicky Richards’ eight-year-old Fame And Glory gelding is only 1lb out of the handicap. That means an effective 5lb rise for landing the Tommy Whittle here the last day.
As Famous Bridge confirmed previous track form with Credo, who has since run a fine fourth in the Classic Chase at Warwick, he is no back number. Sean Quinlan, aboard for both Haydock successes, again takes the ride. Famous Bridge is the one that horse racing betting sites believe is the biggest danger to Royale Pagaille as the 100/30 second-favourite.
At bigger odds in our Peter Marsh Chase tips, rather than siding with Anthony Honeyball duo Blackjack Magic, who won the Badger Beers at Winvanton, and the novice Killbeg King, Scottish raider Elvis Mail could outrun his price. Trained by Nick Alexander, this 10-year-old son of Great Pretender needs to bring his Kelso form with him to Merseyside.
Elvis Mail’s last two victories have come in the Scottish Borders, but he’s only 2lb higher in the weights than when landing the Edinburgh Chase there in October. In-behind him that day were Rowland Meyrick and Tommy Whittle runners-up Empire Steel and Burrows Diamond, not to mention Grand National hero Corach Rambler.
Regular jockey Bruce Lynn is again aboard and taking 3lb off with his claim. Elvis Mail shouldn’t be as big as 16/1 with BetVictor for this really. The way he shaped when third in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster almost a year ago suggests a more galloping track can suit him.
The Kalooki Kid an Each Way Bet in Rossington Main
Earlier on the card, and away from Peter Marsh Chase tips, the extended 1m 7f Grade 2 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle is the chief supporting race but a trappy affair. One who could be overpriced is THE KALOOKI KID, another inmate of Richards’ Greystoke stables near Penrith (2:05).
This six-year-old Gentlewave gelding scored over further at Musselburgh, beating a subsequent winner by four lengths. The Kalooki Kid then followed-up despite a penalty down in trip around Newcastle and recovered superbly from an error two out. A much better jump at the final flight sealed victory.
The Kalooki Kid is a few pounds behind some of his main market rivals on official figures. Substantial form is difficult to come by and, although southern stables are well represented in the line-up, they each have questions to answer. As Betfred pay three places on this race, The Kalooki Kid is a bit of each way value at 10/1.
You can make a case for any one of the seven runners, but there’s a definite danger that Fiercely Proud is a false favourite here. Lump Sum tops official ratings, but the Sam Thomas stable isn’t in form right now. Southoftheborder could be a threat dropped back in trip and away from heavy ground. It’s not a stretch to imagine an unexposed runner winning either.
Peter Marsh Chase Tips
- Royale Pagaille @ 2/1 with William Hill
- Famous Bridge @ 100/30 with BetVictor
- Elvis Mail E/W @ 16/1 with Betfred
Other Haydock Tips for 20 January Card
- The Kalooki Kid E/W (3 places) in the Rossington Main (2:05) @ 10/1 with Betfred
