The Haydock Park races on Saturday, 17 January see Cheltenham hopefuls race in the last recognised Supreme Trial for the Festival opener in the UK. That is the Grade 2 Rossington Main and some smart novice hurdlers head to Merseyside to show what they can do. Also on this card is the Peter Marsh Chase, a Premier Handicap.
That uses the Betfair Chase course and distance on an extended three miles and a furlong. It might be the last time we see track specialist Royale Pagaille, who carries topweight yet again around a venue where he thrived in his prime. Beyond the two big races, there is the usual mix of handicap hurdles and steeplechases with different ratings bands.
Looking over all the action from Haydock Park races are our experts. They know all the form and take that information into looking over the odds on offer from horse racing bookmakers available online. Their assessment of past performances should, with a bit of luck, produce some value prices for punters. Our experts aren’t afraid to say what they think.
You can see their Saturday selections from all seven races on Merseyside below. These appear in capital letters with other horses of interest or ones to note in bold. This analysis should help you narrow the fields. All being well, our experts will continue in their eternal quest of tipping winners. Let’s see who they fancy and why…
Haydock Park Races Preview for Saturday, 17 January
12:15 – 2m 3f 203y Class 4 Handicap Chase (0-120)
Bridge Court could now make it third time lucky over fences and break his maiden tag. Choose A Copper and Southoftheborder have been disappointing for their respective connections, so their presence at this lower level explains that. The former probably wants a more undulating track, while the latter hasn’t won for over two years now.
Imperial Bede has been off the track for 402 days, so this is the comeback trail. Icare Grandchamp appears to want sharper tracks than this one. Tommy Combats doesn’t seem to stay this trip and Dj Pete‘s maiden streak is even longer than that of the selection. It’s a process of elimination, so very much looks between the thriving Throatlash and Bridge Court with just 10st 8lb on his back.
12:50 – 1m 7f 144y Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-135)
He has five wins from seven hurdles starts for Tim Easterby with son William getting on very nicely with him. Smart Decision is up another 5lb for his latest success at Market Rasen, but the amateur jockey takes 5lb off with his claim. Scottish raider Caballo De Guerra goes handicapping for the first time, meanwhile, and could be well-treated off 121 based on his Cheltenham fourth.
Topweight Cracking Rhapsody has it all to do off 12st 2lb for Ewan Whillans, while Brentford Hope looks to have peaked. Although successful off 140 here in the past, Harry Derham’s runner just hasn’t looked the force of old. Megan Fox, a 7lb claimer, rather then stable jockey Paul O’Brien, again takes the ride. Captain Butler is back hurdling for Ruth Jefferson as a chase campaign hasn’t worked out.
1:25 – 1m 7f 144y Grade 2 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle
Old Park Star 🚀 pic.twitter.com/1LmuL6SXeR
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 12, 2025
That is a tip in itself as Henderson has runners, notably Jonbon, much closer to Seven Barrows down at Ascot this afternoon. Out to upset Old Park Star is Gary & Josh Moore’s Hurricane Pat. He concedes 2lb to that one, because of Listed success around Sandown. Although the re-opposing runner-up Soldier Reeves has a 5lb swing in weights as well, Hurricane Pat won with such authority that it may not matter.
It’s not just the first two in the betting with online bookies in the UK that arrive here seeking hat-tricks, however. Nicky Richards saddles Japetus in colours carried by the stable’s Irish import Guitar Pete to some big handicap successes. His level of form looks a notch or two below that posted by the market principals, however. Flat converts Tashkhan and Wahraan look out of their depth, meanwhile.
2:00 – 3m 1f 125y Peter Marsh Chase (Premier Handicap)
Getting 3lb from the in-form Rehearsal Chase and Rowland Meyrick winner Konfusion and 4lb from Johnnywho for Jonjo O’Neill and sons, he may take some stopping. All of those three horses’ have their causes helped by course specialist Royale Pagaille framing the handicap. Despite being a 12-year-old, he remains stubbornly high for Venetia Williams, but was no match for old rival Grey Dawning in his Betfair Chase hat-trick bud.
Royale Pagaille has been a magnificent servant to Rich & Susannah Ricci, but last season’s big race seemed to take a lot out of him. Although 7lb lower than when pulled-up 12 months ago, he looks exposed and vulnerable to younger legs. Richmond Lake was third here last year and now runs off 8lb lower, so the assessor has given him a chance. The other two don’t make much appeal, meanwhile.
2:35 – 3m 58y Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-140)
WHAT A DAY for the galloping Gordons ⭐️
Electric Mason wins for Freddie and Chris Gordon in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/vadw0MA1Z6
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 22, 2025
The second to top and bottom weights are the most interesting here. If no worse for taking a tumble over fences, then PHANTOMOFTHEPOINTS could make it third time lucky over course and distance following placed efforts in the big Stayers’ Premier Handicap Hurdle both this and last season. Eased in grade now by David Pipe, he could cash in on this lower class event.
By the same token, Sue Smith has won two of the last four editions of this contest. Grandson Joel Parkinson is now on the licence too. Together, they saddle Catterick winner HEATHER HONEY who has no stamina doubts. Skelton saddles handicapping debutant Dalston Lad here. Out of the same dam as Myretown, stamina should be his forte but this asks a lot of him after just turning six.
Better value lies elsewhere, and there’s more course experience on offer than simply Phantomofthepoints too. Solar System won on this card 12 months ago, but will surely need the run for Philip Hobbs & Johnson White. Icare Allen gives leading owner JP McManus a second string here as well. Don’t discount shrews Scottish handler Donald Whillans with Both Barrels up in trip with another 5lb on his back either.
3:10 – 2m 5f 50y Class 4 Handicap Hurdle (0-120)
Brookside La appeals to confirm the form despite the swing against him with the Skelton stable in such good form right now. Parkinson & Smith step Killycarn up some five furlongs in distance from Catterick as well. While he’s open to progress after a successful handicapping bow, the horse defeated was a thoroughly exposed type with 80 races under the belt.
High Dancer is the only course and distance winner in the line-up for Greystoke trainer Richards, but he hung badly towards the stands rail when beaten at Doncaster last time. Handicap debutant Judicial Deference is the pick of the pair from the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero stable here, while Paul Nicholls and Henderson have runners in Below The Radar and Akimos respectively.
At bigger odds, Wasthatok could go well for Phil Kirby after a solid second at Catterick. Joe Williamson is back in the saddle now and takes 3lb off with his claim. The Russell & Scudamore yard have Knomorediamonds coming down from Scotland, meanwhile, but he didn’t quite get home here over 2m 3f, so perhaps doesn’t want the extra quarter-mile here.
3:45 – 2m 67y Class 3 Handicap Chase (0-130)
Most of the course and distance winners in the line-up have the welter burden of 12st or more on their backs here. It’s hard to see the likes of Classic Maestro and Escapeandevade delivering such weight-carrying performances. A couple of six-year-olds with more progress in them might provide the answer to the concluding contest at Haydock Park races here.
Skelton runs two with preference for KYKOROCK seeking his hat-trick. The British Point winner is 2-2 since switching to fences and, although up 7lb for Market Rasen success after landing his bow in this sphere around local course Warwick, he can continue improving. Kykorock has been with the stable longer than Irish import Palamon.
Bought out of Paul Nolan’s yard, his Flat background doesn’t really equip him for thus. The O’Neill family have the other young gun of interest here, however, in Windsor winner KOUKEO. He made a successful bow over fences off a racecourse absence of 252 days. An 8lb rise for a 10-length victory looks fair, though, and there should be more to come from Koukeo.
The remainder simply aren’t in form. There are a couple of 12-year-old veterans in the contest. Grey Diamond won over course and distance once, but it was approaching three years and two trainers ago. Mr Grey Sky won his last start, but he hasn’t been seen on the track since February. The horses half their age must have more scope than these.
