It’s fair to say that over the years certain horses become specialists at Haydock Park races. Royale Pagaille fits the bill as he tries to win the Peter Marsh Chase yet again off topweight on Merseyside on Saturday, 18 January following on from retaining his Betfair Chase crown.
Royale Pagaille is now an 11-year-old, but boasts a track record of four wins and a second over the course and distance. His presence in the Premier Handicap after landing a Grade 1 event last time left plenty of initial entries out of the weights. Venetia Williams’ stable star now faces seven rivals, conceding a whole stone and upwards all-round.
The Haydock supporting card also contains the Grade 2 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle, plus other handicaps. Both feature contests are on the ITV Racing schedule alongside action from Ascot races on Clarence House Chase day.
This is a Premier Raceday in its own right, however, so the action on Merseyside deserves individual attention. We have our horse racing experts on hand for some more detailed analysis race by race for a meeting that looks like beating wintry weather this year.
Haydock Park Races Preview for 2025 Peter Marsh Chase Day
12:10 – 2m 4f Class 4 Handicap Chase (0-120)
Ned Tanner wins the Betfred “Bet Builder” Handicap Chase under a Danny McMenamin ride for the Nick Alexander stable! 🏆@Danmcmenamin1 | @kinneston pic.twitter.com/sMG10gmdU1
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) December 30, 2024
Four of the eight in the opener won last time out, so it’s more who acts best on forecast heavy ground. Most would prefer better going, but it could be between Harry Derham new recruit No No Tango, who beat a subsequent winner and now 118-rated rival around Wincanton, and course and distance scorer NED TANNER.
Despite the latter never backing up victory in his career to date, Nick Alexander’s charge shades the vote. The going was on the slow side here at the end of December and Ned Tanner may well follow-up despite a 4lb rise for a comfortable success. Uttoxeter winner Taras Halls and topweight Margaret’s Legacy seem better on sounder surfaces, meanwhile.
Heros lacks a recent run for Venetia Williams and race fitness will surely be essential in these conditions. Ian and Ann Hamilton’s Hello Judge will love the ground, but still looks too high in the handicap. Roger Rarebit beat re-opposing Nine Nine Nine around Uttoxeter in November 2023 and is better off at the weights, so should confirm form.
12:45 – 1m 7.5f Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-135)
The bang in-form Philip Hobbs & Johnson White stable sends handicapping debutant OH MY JOHNNY to Haydock Park races for this. A lightly-raced five-year-old with an opening mark of 116, which could seriously underestimate him, he looks a potentially progressive type now switched to this sphere and online bookmakers fear him.
Oh My Johnny faces two from the Derham yard here with preference for French import Ninth Loch. This is his stable debut after twice winning in France for Noel George’s team. Ninth Loch is an ex-Willie Mullins inmate who handles testing ground and has decent back form from Ireland, including when runner-up to Long Walk fourth The Wallpark.
Conditions are a question mark for Derham’s other runner Lario, but not Spirits Bay who could well bounce back for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Both of his wins in 2024 at Exeter came with plenty of cut in the ground. Spirits Bay must run well here to justify entry in the Newbury handicap best known as the Betfair Hurdle.
He has Pembroke to thank for framing the weights, while Bertie’s Ballet twice placed over course and distance last month. Coniston George placed in a bumper at the track, but may appreciate further for Nicky Richards. Bottom weight Rewired trailed in last here when we last saw him.
1:20 2m 5f Class 4 Handicap Hurdle (0-120)
That one recently advertised that form when second in a Grade 2 novice chase last weekend. Casual Observer also filled the same spot behind a useful horse in his sole Irish Point. He could be a type that improves now sent handicapping by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate.
JP McManus runs two, but heavy going is a worry for both Solar System and Thanksforthehelp. Last month’s course second Honneur D’Ajonc could go one better with James Owen booking 5lb claimer Ben Bromley. He has an unchanged mark. After scoring here over further in December, Clondaw Royale returns to Merseyside in good heart off 5lb higher.
1:55 – 1m 7.5f Grade 2 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle
Royal Infantry puts in an excellent front running effort to win the TrustATrader Approved And Reviewed Tradespeople ‘Introductory’ Hurdle for the Skelton yard! 👏@harryskelton89 | @DSkeltonRacing | @TraderATrust pic.twitter.com/OgMm96Tma4
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) December 4, 2024
Three-time Kelso winner Dedicated Hero hasn’t achieved much, but neither has Katy Price’s Peacenik. Adjusting ratings to weight carried, the biggest threat on paper should come from John McConnell mare Cloonainra. She ran a blinder at 40/1 when second in a Leopardstown handicap last time out.
This demands more, however, and Cloonaira needs to improve on her previous UK visit when a distant fourth to Potters Charm at Cheltenham. Lowly marks of 113 and 107 for Walking On A Dream and Famous Liss respectively suggest they aren’t anywhere near graded calibre.
2:30 – 3m 1.5f Peter Marsh Chase (Premier Handicap)
All of the leading horse racing betting sites have a hard time splitting Royale Pagaille and Mr Vango. The latter is only 1lb out of the weights, but Sara Bradstock’s runner will relish conditions. Jack Tudor takes the ride with the only question being if this is far enough for him. Mr Vango had the Welsh Grand National and Classic Chase as potential winter targets.
Both fell by the wayside for different reasons, but he receives 26lb in weight from Royale Pagaille. Course winner Trelawne must prove his stamina, meanwhile. Kim Bailey’s charge disappointed in the Ascot Silver Cup before Christmas subsequent to his Graduation Chase victory here.
Imagine acted on heavy ground when trained in Ireland and Derham steps him markedly up in trip. That could work, especially as he was sent off at just 6/1 on his stable debut for the Paddy Power Gold Cup before pulling up. Welsh raider Iwilldoit may find this test too sharp even in the conditions. It’s difficult making cases for the others.
3:05 – 3m Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-140)
Punta Del Este will be popular for Team Skelton, but pulling up over course and distance sticks out in the mind. He has a past win at Haydock Park races on this going before, but must prove stamina. Olly Murphy’s KILBARRY HILL is an in-form alternative from the other end of the handicap. A 3lb rise for Uttoxeter success is offset by Lewis Stones claiming as much off his back.
Kilbarry Hill handled heavy ground when placed in an Irish Point, so looks worth backing each way. Fellow runners from the foot of the weights Tiny Tetley and Bushypark could take advantage of their lowly marks here. Tune In A Box may go one better if an unlucky defeat in testing conditions at Chepstow hasn’t left its mark.
Grade 2 course and distance third Innox Allen is back hurdling after trying fences on reappearance. The runner-up from that day, Don’t Rightly Know, has franked the form by landing a Listed chase against fellow mares at Newbury on Wednesday. Good Luck Charm tries to follow-up on Sandown success for Anthony Honeyball under a 10lb claimer, meanwhile.
3:40 – 2m Class 3 Handicap Chase (0-130)
Three of the seven-runner field are of interest in the Haydock Park races finale with DR T J ECKLEBURG back at the scene of his course and distance victory. Evan Williams’ charge is now 7lb higher in the weights, but ran well off his revised mark when runner-up at Chepstow over Christmas.
If not Dr T J Eckleburg, then narrow Newbury scorer The Famous Five could continue progressing over fences. Venetia Williams’ runner has gone up 2lb for a short-head success on just his second try over fences. He could have more to offer. Chepstow specialist Prince Quali beat Dr T J Eckleburg last season and may do so again back on really testing ground.
The handicapper continues to do Netywell and Xcitations few if any favours, meanwhile. Topweight Prairie Wolf is now just 1lb above his last winning mark and that came over further here on Merseyside. Those highest in the weights all appear out of form sorts at this time, so it may be between the bottom two.
