The 2025 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock

Small fields, small fields... 

Just six declared for tomorrow's Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.00 Haydock) but bet365, Sky and Paddy Power are paying three places.

The going is described as good to soft, soft in places, with no significant rainfall forecast before racing.

The top two in the market, Myretown and Konfusion, both hold Gold Cup entries; the former is quoted at 66/1, the latter 150/1.

Myretown shot to prominence when making all to win the Ultima 11 lengths at the Festival last year off a mark of 127. Next time out, seven weeks ago in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, off 142 he jumped to his left on occasions and took a crashing fall at the third fence in the home straight on the first circuit. 

The gelding has won three of his last five starts - and fallen in the other two. 

He certainly wouldn't want the ground to dry out much more while current stable form is a concern with just one winner recorded from 21 runners in the past fortnight.        

Racing off a mark of 115 on seasonal debut, Konfusion beat Ribeye four lengths in a Class 4 handicap chase on Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase card. 

He's now officially rated 145, having won the Rehearsal at Newcastle and the Rowland Meyrick back at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Seven days before the Rehearsal, he nodded on landing when jumping one in the back straight at Haydock, unseating Danny McMenamin in the process. All wins to date have been at distances up to - and including - three miles.

Johnnywho and Mr Derek O'Connor looked to have the Fulke Walwyn in the bag approaching the last at the Festival in March but the partnership weren't particularly fluent at that flight and couldn't reel in Daily Present up the hill, eventually beaten a neck.

Five weeks later the gelding finished fifth behind Haiti Couleurs in the Irish Grand National where he didn't appear to stay three miles five furlongs.

On seasonal debut he came home fifth behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton over the National fences and was doing his best work at the finish when third behind Deep Cave at Ascot just before Christmas.

12 year old Royal Pagaille, a Haydock specialist, is burdened with a top weight of 12 stones. 

Venetia Williams' charge won the 2021 and 2022 renewals of this race and last time out ran with great credit when second behind Grey Dawning over course and distance in the Betfair Chase eight weeks ago.

However stable form has been a concern all through this season and remains so, currently without a winner for 32 days.

Back on Boxing Day 2024 Imperial Saint (137) beat Richmond Lake (142) six and a half lengths over two and a half miles at Aintree. 

In the 2025 Freebooter Handicap Chase, run over three miles and one furlong at Aintree on Grand National day, Cruz Control beat Imperial Saint (144) five lengths with Richmond Lake (140) looking all over the winner coming to two out before making a mistake and fading into eighth, beaten 34 lengths.

I've watched a replay of that race a couple of times now. Racing TV commentators seemed quick enough to say post race that Richmond Lake didn't stay the trip there but Donald McCain's charge had already finished third behind Mr Vango in last year's Peter Marsh, beaten just over three lengths off 142. 

Perhaps Richmond Lake doesn't find a lot for pressure but off 134 this year he has been given a chance by the handicapper.

Imperial Saint appeared the stronger stayer in the Freebooter, coming back to reclaim second from Erne River on the line. 

This season the gelding disappointed badly when sent off favourite for the Old Roan (won by Hitman). He appeared to become upset during the preliminaries and was reluctant to race, eventually finishing fifth. 

Next time he finished sixth behind Glengouly in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

I'm going to chance Imperial Saint, owned by Richard Johnson Racing, hoping there are no further withdrawals. He's one of the runners that won't be inconvenienced by drying ground and Callum Pritchard takes off a handy three pounds. 

Imperial Saint is the each-way suggestion; 14/1 earlier in the day, he has been backed and at the time of writing is 10/1 with bet365 who pay three places.