The Peter Marsh Handicap Chase is our feature race this Saturday run over 3 miles on very testing ground at Haydock. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has decided to claim off top weight Virak which allows the Father and Son team of Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies to combine with Algernon Pazham further down the weights.

The weights are quite important in this race with the bottom four runners competing out of the handicap proper. This means that they have to carry more weight than they usual off their current handicap marks which is a distinct disadvantage. Reve De Sivola reverts to fences for the first time in 5 years but was never the most fluent over the bigger obstacles while recently sold Gas Line Boy has a long 287 day absence to overcome.

Fingal Bay has an obvious chance having run very well on his past two starts but might find this challenge beyond his stamina limits while those near the top of the weights are pretty exposed or out of form. The horse that has potential to step forward off his current mark is the 7 year old Algernon Pazham whom be backed when falling in the Becher Chase over the National Fences earlier this season.

We can forgive a young horse falling on his first run over the big national fences. Last week in the Classic Chase he was travelling and jumping really well until taking an unlucky fall when stumbling a stride after landing over a fence up the home straight. He had caught the eye jumping fluently through the field to that point and did not have a hard race so no surprise he is turned out quickly.

The assistance of Sam Twiston-Davies is a big positive along with the fact that his trainer believes he will stay marathon trips on heavy ground no problem. Algernon Pazham is a proper big chasing type and will relish the bottomless ground and level track around Haydock. We can expect a very bold show at a big price so long as he stays on his feet but I remain convinced he remains a good jumper.

Haydock – Peter Marsh Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) 3m24y

Selection – 0.5 Point Each Way Algernon Pazham (14/1 William Hill else 12/1 generally, use best odds guaranteed Bookies)

Compare odds at http://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/2016-01-23-haydock/15:15/winner

I’d really appreciate if you could take the time to share this Post on Facebook or Twitter J

Best of Luck,

Nicky