January 20 / 15.15 Haydock

15.15

Frozen

Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 1f 125y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: /26F-1 CD

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 166

Form & Verdict
Loves it here and won the last two runnings of this race in 2021 (heavy) and 2022 (soft); runs off a mark just 3lb higher than for the 2022 win and he broke his Grade 1 duck when landing the Betfair Chase over C&D (soft) in November; leading claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Royale Pagaille

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Five-time course winner including this race in 2021 and 2022 and the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024; reappeared with fine second in that Grade 1 here 56 days ago (good to soft); struggled last season after his reappearance win but this 12yo could have a big say if backing up his latest effort.

13/2

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

Form: 3U1-17 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Last season ended with a win at Kelso (3m2f, soft) and he followed up with another win there (3m2f, soft) in October; can also be effective elsewhere but Cheltenham may not be his track (tailed off there last time); ran pretty well in 2020 on sole previous visit here; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who lacked fluency when back over fences and was soundly beaten at Haydock in December; however, prior to that he made a fairly encouraging return from an absence over hurdles at Ayr and he's a six-time winner at Kelso; could have a part to play now back here.

13/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

Form: 238-42

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
0-11 but has run some big races, including for a very long way in the Grand National last April; back to form when second at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; also effective on soft ground; can go well once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Mister Coffey

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

A classy chaser who has famously gone 0-19 in this discipline, running numerous good races in smart company and finishing runner-up nine times; did run well for a long way in a veterans' chase at Cheltenham last month (3m2f, good to soft) and this might just be the day it happens for him.

11/10

5th

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Mister Coffey

11st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Let down by his jumping when returned to the cross-country course at Cheltenham last time; has lots of useful form otherwise and ties in with Eldorado Allen on reappearance running; well capable of being involved but is famously frustrating and still a maiden over fences (0-18).

13/2

Form: 21-333

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
3-5 over hurdles and improved upon first two chase runs when upped in trip in first-time headgear (retained) in Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton (3m, good) on Boxing Day, finishing a creditable third; also effective on soft; the handicapper has reacted but that latest form could prove to be red hot and this unexposed 9yo may well be on an advantageous mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

6th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Kilbeg King

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Creditable efforts in defeat in Graded novice chases this winter (3m, good/good to soft) and ran well for long way in 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham last month (heavy; beaten 32l); could be in the mix now back down in trip and back in a handicap, provided the removal of cheekpieces isn't an issue.

12/1

Form: 11-411 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Progressive novice last season (including a good-ground win) and has continued to improve this term, winning competitive handicaps over C&D (soft/heavy) the last twice; he's 5lb higher than the Tommy Whittle last time and in tougher company today, but could have more left in the locker; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Famous Bridge

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

The way he asserted in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft) last February made this race look an appealing proposition, but he faded badly when it was put to the test and later lost the Haydock race due to a banned substance; this season has been very disappointing but at least he's 9lb lower than 12 months ago and his yard has been in great form.

25/1

7th

14

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Famous Bridge

10st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Very useful handicapper over regulation fences on his day and a very respectable sixth in last year's Ultima (3m1f, good to soft) at this meeting; won't fail through lack of stamina but has been out of form this season and makes cross-country debut from 11lb out of the handicap.

50/1

7th

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Famous Bridge

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Useful over fences, first past the post in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (disqualified due to banned substance) in February and far from disgraced in the Ultima at Cheltenham the following month; having his first hurdles outing since April 2022 here, so carries risks, but he could be dangerous off his lower mark if fully tuned up.

11/2

Form: 1P1-14 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-5 over fences (including wins on soft/heavy) when landing the Badger Beer at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) on his reappearance; bang there when bad mistake at final fence at Ascot (3m, good) four weeks ago and he could still be improving; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

Form: 14P53/ C

Last run: 647 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won a novice handicap chase here in December 2021 for Jennie Candlish; even from 13lb wrong at the weights he's not out of this if retaining all of his ability, but this 10yo is making his stable debut on the back of a very long absence and may be best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

30th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Mint Condition

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Charlie Longsdon

Running well when last seen in the spring of 2022, finishing fifth in the Kim Muir (soft) and close up in another Cheltenham handicap next time (good); potentially well treated for this belated return to action after leaving Jennie Candlish; market confidence would heighten interest.

10/1

Verdict

Clear topweight ROYALE PAGAILLE has a lofty mark to defy against some highly talented opponents but he’s hard to oppose given his tremendous record at Haydock, having won the last two runnings of this race and landed the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over C&D in November. The form of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day could prove to be red-hot and third-placed Kilbeg King is second choice now back in a handicap. Famous Bridge has won competitive C&D handicaps the last twice and is next on the list, while Mister Coffey and Blackjack Magic can also run well.[Ben Hutton]