We've teamed up with Weatherbys to highlight the key trends from the past 10 editions of the Peter Marsh Chase and a fresh horse is given the nod to prevail.
3.15 Haydock - Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
TRENDS
10/10 – Winning form on soft or heavy ground
9/10 – Carried 11-3 or less
7/10 – Aged 8, 9 or 10
6/10 – Chase victory over 3m or further
6/10 – Chase victory in a Class 2 or higher
1/10 – Favourites
Last year’s winner: The Dutchman
Bettrends selection: Robinsfirth
The inclusion of Valtor in the final field has kept the weights down for everyone else but he misses two key trends, so it looks as though Nicky Henderson’s ten-year-old is worth taking on.
Sue Smith’s Wakanda is considered having run well for a long way in the Rowland Meyrick last time and although he is just 1lb higher than his last winning mark, he looks pretty exposed.
Charlie Longsdon's Ballydine has less miles on the clock and took a sizeable step forward when finishing second at Newbury in December. He races from out of the weights here but looks a leading contender with the potential for more to come.
However, the one to beat could be ROBINSFIRTH, who despite being 10 years of age has only had six starts over fences to date. Colin Tizzard's gelding does have a lengthy absence to overcome but he has always been held in high-regard by connections and it is likely we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
