Peter Marsh Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap)

3.15 Haydock
Peter Marsh Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £28,505

Picks: Becuaseicoudln’tsee & Take The Breeze (each/way)

Take The Breeze: Done well since coming over from France and made really good start to life over fences, winning twice at Exeter and once at Newbury (again made all); Limitations seemingly exposed in Grade 1 Irish Arkle and Jewson Novices Handicap at the festival but ran very well in Mildmay at Aintree and excellent reappearance run gives him a major chance of defying a 6lbs rise here.

Sa Suffit: Prominent racer who is at his best on testing ground (so easy to forgive blowout on Grand National Day last season); Totally unexposed at this trip, yard amongst the winners and goes well fresh so given consideration.

Madison Du Berlais: Was an absolute revelation 2 seasons ago when winning this very race (off a 12lbs higher mark the Levy Board Chase (beat Denman by 23 lengths ) and Totesport Bowl; Hasn’t been in the same form since due to a mark of 169 but ran creditably on most occasions since barring a poor run in the King George; Has every chance here if he’s over those exertions but doubts about his ability to run to his chasing mark.

Becuaseicouldntsee: Progressive stayer who was runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham over four miles last season and ran yet another big race when second in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas; Every chance of going one better here in similar event.

King Fontaine: Made it four out of seven over fences with latest C&D success over reopposing Maktu (who did the form no harm with a creditable run in the Welsh National); Can take a chance at some fences, but on a massive upward curve and should go close here.

Dream Alliance: One of fairy-tale stories of last season when winning the Welsh Grand National after long lay-off (had stem cell treatment); Unable to progress from that after rise in weight however, and been pulled up on all starts since.

Atouchbetweenacara: ran better than the bare facts suggest in the face of a stiff task latest but Simply hasn’t fulfilled promise he showed when winning Grade 2 limited handicap and not appealing here.

Frankie Figg: Last win came over this track when romping home by 8 lengths off 6lbs lower mark; Was in process of running huge race (booked for place at least) when unseating in Topham 2 from home and put that right when winning the Grand Sefton by 5 lengths last time out; Not handicapped out of things by any stretch here.

Maktu: Progressive sort who failed to last home having been too keen when sent off favourite for the Welsh National, having jumped well in the main; Has a 16lb swing in the weights with King Fontaine for a head defeat in November and holds a serious chance here.

Buffalo Bob: Progressive chaser who ran well at Cheltenham last time until seemingly failing for stamina over extended 3m2f at Cheltenham last time; Slight drop back should suit but stiff mark and lot to prove now.

Palypso De Creek: Runner-up from a 4lb higher mark last year and although he hasn’t run anywhere near that since, he’s had excuses for all of those defeats; Well weighted for a big run but that no guarantee that he’ll be back to best.

Khachaturian: Has a lot going for him in the fact that his yard have won two of the last four renewals of this race, he’s got the benefit of a recent pipe-opener in a fibresand bumper under his belt, is only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark and he goes on all ground; Maybe not room for error from his current mark but taken seriously nonetheless.

Major Malarkey: Stays well, comes from an in from yard and can improve, but does look held by Buffalo Bob on their running at Bangor in November and can make mistakes; Has a tough task here and while he can’t be discounted, looks up against it.

VERDICT: BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE jumps well, gets further than this, handles all ground and was an excellent second in the Paddy Power Chase last time. TAKE THE BREEZE was an excellent second at Ascot last time, has been treated fairly since by the handicapper, handles most ground and could go very close here. King Fontaine is seriously progressive but he’ll have it hard to stop Maktu from reversing the form off 16lbs better terms. If he’s able to run to his best, then there’s nothing to stop Madison Du Berlais making a mockery of overinflated odds.