Haydock tips: Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase horse-by-horse guide

Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase (Premier Handicap)

• When: 14:00 Saturday January 17
• Where: Haydock Park
• First prize: £56,950
• Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places)
• TV: ITV & Racing TV

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook | Free bets

ROYALE PAGAILLE (Venetia Williams)

Already something of a Haydock legend who has won five times at the track including two Betfair Chases. Runner-up to Grey Dawning in this season’s edition of the Grade 1 feature and although defying a mark of 159 asks a lot of him, one of his two previous Peter Marsh victories came off 163 and it’s hard to know when age might finally begin to catch up with him.

JOHNNYWHO (Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill)

Has possibly flattered to deceive on the odd occasion but he had plenty of observers flagging him as the one to take from the race yet again when flying home for a half-length third at Ascot last month (replay below). A subsequent 1lb rise shouldn’t prevent another bold show if bringing his best form but might others in this strong line-up just want it a little more in the finish?

KONFUSION (Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith)

One of several from the yard to really go through the ranks this season and claimed his third handicap victory of the campaign in ready fashion at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Unshipped his rider here back in November but evidently on a steep upward trajectory and was only last week given an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That suggests a revised rating of 145 is considered to be more than manageable.

NASSALAM (Garry & Josh Moore)

Has undergone a breathing operation which could be a potential source of improvement but he’s been pulled-up on five of his last six starts and makes zero appeal here despite a sliding handicap mark.

MYRETOWN (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)

Talented sort and hugely progressive last season, winning the Ultima at Cheltenham with ease. Still seems to have a bit of a mental block at his fences, though, having taken some heavy falls including in the Coral Gold Cup on seasonal debut. Surely still well treated and a big player if putting in a more assured round of jumping.

IMPERIAL SAINT (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)

Eight-year-old who looks ready for a step back up to staying distances based on his two efforts this season. Good second at Aintree last spring on his only previous try at three miles and he's now able to run from a 3lb lower mark. Dangerous to dismiss.

RICHMOND LAKE (Donald McCain)

Last four handicap chase wins have come off 135, 140, 137 and 142 so he's clearly on the right side of the assessor from current perch of 134, but most recent success came in December 2023 and he just remains vulnerable to the more progressive types in this sort of contest. No great surprise if he ran well without adding to his tally.

Verdict

Warwick’s loss is Haydock’s gain with some of the Classic Chase protagonists having been rerouted here. They include the Ultima winner Myretown, who is a threat to all but a clear round, but the one to be on this time looks to be surprise Gold Cup entry KONFUSION.

He’s been a revelation this season and the manner of his win in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day smacked of a progressive chaser still some way ahead of his mark. A 9lb hike doesn’t look enough to stop him completing a hat-trick.

Updated at 10:55 GMT on 15/01/26

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