The 11yo ROYALE PAGAILLE (nap) is conceding a stone or more to all of his rivals but is hard to oppose given his tremendous record at Haydock. He has won the last two runnings of this race (in 2021 and 2022) and landed back-to-back wins in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase two months ago. The lightly raced 9yo Mr Vango won the London National last month and is feared most, with a slog in the ground likely to play to his strengths. Course winner Trelawne is next on the list.[Ben Hutton]
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Now an 11yo and has to concede lots of weight all round but has a phenomenal record at Haydock, winning the last two runnings of this race in 2021 (heavy) and 2022 (soft), as well as taking the last two runnings of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase (the latest two months ago); could be tough to beat.
Promising novice chaser last season and his reappearance win in a graduation chase here (2m5f, soft) represents strong form; won over an extended 2m7f over hurdles; merely fourth off this mark when back in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month but it was still a reasonable performance on ground that may not have been ideal; respected now back on testing surface.
Won the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) in 2021 and the Warwick Classic (3m5f, heavy) in 2023; now 12 but he was a fine third in the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) three weeks ago and his surplus stamina may be no bad thing today; possible player if this doesn't come too soon after his hard Chepstow race.
Lightly raced 7yo who won a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown (2m, soft) in November 2023 for Gordon Elliott; it's very early days for him with his up-and-coming trainer and he stayed 2m4f over hurdles, but there's a big stamina question to answer today and he was pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November on his seasonal and stable debut; others have less to prove.
Now just 2lb higher than for 13l win in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f, heavy) in December 2023 and he's not totally written off; however, this 13yo has been a long way below his best on his last four starts and a major turnaround is needed; cheekpieces return, in which he's run well in the past.
This is a tough race, in terms of both conditions and opposition, in which to try to prove his stamina (unproven beyond 2m5f); however, his last two wins have come on heavy ground, there are stayers in his pedigree, and he arrives in good form; each-way claims if seeing out the trip.
Very lightly raced 9yo who bolted up at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) last February on his second chase start and tapped back into that abundant promise to win the London National at Sandown (3m4f, soft) last month; stamina will be at a premium today, which will be in his favour, and he could have more left in the tank; one to consider off a mark 5lb higher than last time.
Stayed this far over hurdles and he won the Topham Chase at Aintree (2m5f, soft) in April 2023; however, he's 0-9 since and faces a tough assignment today from 9lb out of the handicap; others are preferred.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
