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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Chris Wright

Past winners may bid for more in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park

Last year's hero Royale Pagaille and another former winner Bristol De Mai could face off in Saturday's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park.

While star novice hurdler Jonbon could also line-up at the Merseyside track before his own clash with stable-mate Constitution Hill at the Cheltenham Festival.

Venetia Williams scored by a massive 16 lengths when landing the Peter Marsh Chase 12 months ago and is a best-priced 5-1 favourite with Unibet to successfully defend his crown.

The eight-year-old went on to finish sixth behind Minella Indo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his Haydock victory.

RoyalePagaille was also runner-up to A Plus Tard in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock on his seasonal return in November - although he has been off the track since through injury.

But he may line up this weekend alongside another Haydock specialist in Nigel Twiston-Davies' triple Betfair Chase hero Bristol De Mai.

The 11-year-old grey has won five times at Haydock, including in the 2016 Peter Marsh Chase. But he was pulled up during his bid for a record-equalling fourth victory in the Betfair Chase on his seasonal return in November.

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned veteran is a best-priced 10-1 chance with William Hill and Unibet to bounce back at the weekend.

Bristol De Mai is also entered in the £150,000 Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield on Sunday.

Richard Hobson’s Lord Du Mesnil – who is owned by a syndicate which includes Mike and Mandy Smith from Wirral – is a three-time Haydock Park winner.

He is entered for another trip to Merseyside having been second to Good Boy Bobby in the Rowland Meyrick Chase over Christmas. Lord Du Mesnil is a 7-1 chance with Coral and Unibet.

Nick Alexander's Lake View Lad, who fell in the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse last April 9, is also among the currrent 17 entries.

He was third at Haydock before finishing fourth in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day. He is a 14-1 chance with Coral and bet365 for the Peter Marsh.

Lake View Lad carries the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings and trainer Alexander said: "He's come out of his Wetherby race very well.

"He was was a little bit disappointing that day, but he got stuck for over an hour between the A1 and the racecourse stables. He got a bit hot and bothered in the lorry and I think that may have taken the edge off him a little bit.

"He's fine now and he's won at Haydock before. He's beginning to look quite nicely handicapped if the years haven't caught up with him too quickly and we're looking forward to running him."

Other leading entries for the Peter Marsh Chase are Harriet Brown's Lieutenant Rocco, the David Pipe-trained Remastered, who is a 13-2 chance with William Hill; and Sandy Thomson's Empire Steel - who is vying for favouritism at 5-1 with some firms despite falling on his most recent start in the Rowland Meyrick.

Nicky Henderson's Jonbon is the headline act of 11 entries for the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle - another of the four Grade Two contests on Haydock's seven-race card on Saturday.

Bought for £570,000 by owner JP McManus after winning an Irish point-to-point, the full-brother to Douvan is unbeaten in three starts Under Rules.

The six-year-old made a winning debut in a Newbury bumper last spring and has won both his starts over hurdles, impressing with a dominant display in a Grade Two at Ascot last time.

Jonbon is second-favourite behind stablemate Constitution Hill for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opener to the Cheltenham Festival in March, at around 7-2.

He is a hot 1-2 favourite with Coral to maintain his unbeaten record at Haydock on Saturday.

His potential rivals on Merseyside include the Harry Fry-trained Might I, runner-up to Constitution Hill at Sandown in December, and Alexander's unbeaten Donny Boy.

Another Irish point-to-point winner, Alexander said: "The Rossington Main is the plan. It's obviously a big step up in class and who knows what will happen, but we'll give it a go.

"We're very excited about him, we believe in him and hopefully he'll run well.

"It'll be fine if Jonbon scares everything else away!"

Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain could saddle wide-margin Sedgefield winner Richmond Lake.

There were also 11 entries revealed for the Grade Two Patrick Coyne Memorial Altcar Novices' Chase, with McCain's Minella Drama among them.

Other entries included Ben Pauling's course scorer Shakem Up'Arry and the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Papa Tango Charly, who has won both his starts over fences so far.

Tommy's Oscar is the odds-on favourite for the New One Unibet Hurdle - which has been used a stepping stone for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Ann Hamilton's seven-year-old has won his last three starts and is 8-11 with Coral for a fourth win in a row.

Last year's winner Navajo Pass, also trained by McCain, could try to defend his crown while Olly Murphy's veteran Hunters Call is also among the entries.

The first race is due off at 12.50pm at Haydock on Saturday with the finale at 4.15pm. Gates open at 10.50am and tickets start at £20 if booked in advance.

For more details and to book tickets go to https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/haydock/events-tickets/peter-marsh-chase-day/

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