Peter Marsh Handicap Chase Guide

Valtor heads the weights for the Grade Two Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock this weekend.

Bought by Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, he hacked up on his British debut at Ascot in the Listed Garrard Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

More will be expected here by jumping in grade, and has a sea of challengers to contend with, including Venetia Williams' Otago Trail, who finished last in that race won by Valtor, and is surprisingly fancied to bounce back here.

That being said, he was badly hampered over four out, effectively ending his chances.

Fellow female trainers Sue Smith and Lucinda Russell have key chances.

Sue Smith is represented with Wakanda, a course winner four years ago in the Altcar Novices Chase, and has run respectively in two outings at Wetherby this term, but more will be required here.

Lucinda Russell on the other hand has the 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur, who on his first start since that memorable day at Aintree unseated Tom Scudamore at the 3rd in the G2 Many Clouds Chase at the National venue.

That should of been used to freshen up, but having hardly completed the course that day, this race might be used for the same affect on his road to getting back to the National in April.

Daklondike scored smartly here before Christmas in a Class Two Handicap Chase on heavy ground and could go close again - beating Ballyarthur by a length that day, along with Robinsfirth for Colin Tizzard, who landed the Grade Three Unicoin Group Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham December meeting.

Red Infantry was a close second to Morney Wing in the London National, and is all but guaranteed to stay the distance.

Chase The Spud and Captain Redbeard will hope to use their past course wins to their advantage in this fascinating clash of National hopefuls.

Twelve runners are currently scheduled to go to post for the Peter Marsh Chase, with all but one of the horses aged between nine and eleven years of age.

There are some notable trends to acknowledge before placing your bet. 

The race over 3 miles and 24 yards has only had seven runnings over the past decade. This can be attributed to abandonments in 2008, 2011 and 2013.

The first thing to note is the fact that over the last ten renewals (dating back to 2004) only one favourite has been victorious. 

All of the last ten winners have been aged eight or above meaning there should be some doubt whether seven-year-old Daklondike can be first past the post.

All of the last ten winners had also run within the last 36 days. Robinsfirth, One For Arthur, Captain Redbeard, Chase The Spud, Red Infantry and Three Musketeers have failed to run that recently but in some instances that has been a matter of days.

Nine out of the last ten winners have been rated 135 or better. Sadly there are no runners below that mark this year so this provides us with little help.

What is more helpful is the fact that no horse has won this race in the last ten years carrying more than 11st 3lbs.

That rules out top-weight Valtor and One For Arthur. You should also focus on runners that have won in their last three starts. Of the twelve runners five have failed to do so.

There is no doubt that top-weight Valtor is an intriguing runner. However, his weight is an obvious concern considering the above.

Good luck with your bets!