100 Grade 1 victories for the Ricci Family

Royale Pagaille won the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park for a second consecutive season digging deep on the run-in to regain the advantage having been headed before the last. The ten year old was winning for a fifth time at the Merseyside track and was having his first run since falling in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January (301 days off). Positively ridden by Charlie Deutsch, Venetia Williams had the whole field, bar Grey Dawning, at full stretch in the homestraight but looked vulnerable after the second last. Despite relinquishing the advantage though, the ex-French gelding rallied well after Dan Skelton's runner made a mistake at the last and won by two lengths with a further ten lengths back to the third Bravemansgame. Royale Pagaille's win was a significant success for his owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, who were enjoying there 100th Grade 1 success, which is a tremendous achievement. 

The runner-up was the one horse in the field it was felt has the potential to develop into a major contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. The grey enhanced his reputation with an excellent display but it remains to be seen how much will have taken out of the seven year old. It was a gruelling affair and, while some firms shortened Grey Drawning for the King George on Boxing Day, it is only 33 days away and it may come soon enough.

Bravemansgame was placed in the race for a second time and Paul Nicholls' triple Grade 1 winner ran creditably in the circumstances. His trainer is adamant that the nine year old wants good ground to show its best and it was interesting to note that Paul announced during the afternoon that he had left the decision whether to run to the owners. The owners pay the bills but there is a reason why Paul Nicholls is a fourteen times champion trainer.

Last season's leading novice hurdler Ballyburn made a smooth start to chasing career without setting the world alight at Punchestown. A thirteen lengths winner, the six year old made all the running and never looked like getting beaten even though it lacked the wow factor of either Galopin Des Champs or Gaelic Warrior when they scored on their first try over fences. Judging by State Man's performance in the Morgiana Hurdle later on the card, a few of the Closutton 'big guns' may improve for their seasonal pipeopeners and the Flemensfirth gelding is likely to sharpen up next time. Willie Mullins suggested afterwards that he is likely to skip the Christmas programme but may be back in action at Naas early in the New Year. The Arkle Trophy, rather than the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, at Cheltenham in March is expected to be his main target.