Peter Marsh Chase betting

Events / Editor / 20 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Run at Haydock's January fixture since 1989, the Grade 2, three-mile Peter Marsh Chase has been won by some high class chasers over the years and often has a bearing on ante-post odds betting for major steeplechases later on in the term.

Haydock's galloping circuit and daunting drop-fences, allied to the almost inevitably testing ground at this time of the year, mean that only the soundest of jumpers are likely to prevail and land winning bets. The long run-in from the final fence of well over a furlong has seen the complexion of many a race change on the flat run to the finish.

This has been a poor race for favourites over the years, but there was no bigger surprise than in 2006 when Ebony Light at odds of 33/1, trained by Ginger McCain and ridden by Stephen Craine, stunned the betting public and odds-makers when carrying 22 pounds more than his long handicap mark to victory!

Many of the horses contesting the 'Peter Marsh' go on to take their chance in the Aintree Grand National and some of the classier types may even go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so ante-post odds betting markets can often be shaken up as a result of the outcome of this race.