Next weekend sees important Festival trials at Cheltenham but this Saturday’s Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock has given a few pointers down the years itself, though most of this year’s 12-strong field will be targeting the Grand National at Aintree than the Gold Cup. Connections of all will be hoping that the threatened snow stays away and that racing actually takes place.
Peter Marsh Chase History and Trends
The Peter Marsh Chase is a Grade Two handicap chase open to horses aged five or older and run over 3m2f at Haydock Park in Lancashire. First run in 1981, it’s now a recognised trial for the Aintree Grand National in April and regularly attracts useful staying chasers from the UK and Ireland.
Past winners include subsequent Gold Cup winners Little Owl, Bregawn and The Thinker. Earth Summit won it in 1995 and three years later stormed to victory at Aintree. General Wolfe and Jodami are the only horses to have won the Peter Marsh more than once.
- All of the last 10 winners had either won or been placed over three miles or beyond
- Only two winners hadn’t previously won a handicap
- 10 of the last 11 winners had previously run at Haydock with nine being placed at least
- All of the last 10 winners had won on soft or heavy ground previously
- Nine of the last 10 winners carried no more than 11st3lb
- Only one of the last 15 winners hadn’t raced within the previous six weeks
- Only one of the last 15 winners was aged younger than eight
There are 12 declared runners this year and that’s been just about the average in recent years. As long as all stand their ground, that means each-way bettors will get a quarter the odds a place on the first three. In the last five years there has been no more than half-a-dozen finishers and it will be a surprise if the race doesn’t turn into a war of attrition again.
Valtor’s declaration means that Ballyarthur and Ballydine are carrying more than their allotted weight. The top weight made an impressive debut for Nicky Henderson at Ascot but was probably well handicapped that day. The second has since been beaten in a novice chase and the third was a non-stayer so the French import looks poor value at a best 5/1 having been raised 12lb.
One For Arthur (a best 14/1), winner of the Grand National in 2017, didn’t get far on his return to action at Aintree and may need another run. Daklondike arrives in good form, however, and has a very good strike-rate over fences. He beat Ballyarthur (10/1 with William Hill) in the Tommy Whittle over a shorter distance at Haydock before Christmas but won over 3m2f at Newbury last season and is a stand-out 7/1 with 888sport and William Hill, though falls outside the ideal age range and has gone up 6lb in the weights.
Red Infantry (10/1 with 888sport) has progressed since upped to marathon distances this season. Ian Williams’ improver will enjoy this test and has already won at Haydock this season but the 2017 runner-up Otago Trail (a best 8/1) was well behind Valtor at Ascot.
CAPTAIN REDBEARD was second last year and races off the same handicap mark. He’s had a similar campaign to last season to keep him fresh and his overall record at Haydock demands respect. Though he can take chances at his fences, Sam Coltherd knows how to get the best out of the 10-year-old and takes off a handy 5lb again. At a general 9/1, he looks to have cast-iron each-way claims and should make a bold bid to go one better than 12 months ago.
Peter Marsh Handicap Chase Current Best Odds
Valtor 5/1, Daklondike and Robinsfirth 7/1, Otago Trail 8/1, Ballydine and Captain Redbeard 9/1, Red Infantry and Ballyarthur 10/1, Wakanda 12/1, One For Arthur 14/1, Three Musketeers 16/1, Chase The Spud 33/1
(Odds correct at 11.15am January 18)
