A Grade 1 winner in a handicap! Can this horse win the Peter Marsh off 166? 🏆

There are some signs from the Met Office’s forecasts that Saturday’s action can beat the cold snap and go ahead. One of the key meetings is at Haydock, where the Peter Marsh Chase is set to take place. This is a £100,000 race which has attracted a particularly eye-catching entry.

The horse in question won a Grade 1 over course and distance last time out and could attempt to win this handicap off a mark of 166. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

3.15 Haydock (Saturday)

Royale Pagaille undoubtedly put in a career best performance to win the Grade 1 Betfair Chase here at Haydock back in November. Often appearing to be just below the top grade, he certainly showed his credentials that day, pulling well clear of Bravemansgame to score by six-and-a-half lengths.

The handicapper has responded by pushing his mark up to 166, which brings him back up to his previous career-high rating. It’s easy enough to argue that his latest performance was better than the handicapper has suggested and he probably should have gone up another pound or two, bearing in mind the fact that he hasn’t performed to that level in graded company previously.

Charlie Deutsch is provisionally down to ride the horse, which indicates that there’s a good chance he’ll line up. Winning a handicap off 166, and giving all bar one of his potential rivals over a stone, would be a monstrous achievement. Rather encouragingly, he has form in the book which suggests he can do it.

Venetia Williams’ gelding has an awesome record over course and distance and is a two-time winner of this race. The second of those victories came off just a 3lb lower mark and a repeat of his latest effort would surely put him right in the mix here.

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