Peter Marsh Chase
Grade 2, Haydock Park 15:15 £50,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, Class 1
Saturday 17th January 2015

1 Samstown 16/1
2 Benbens 13/2
3 Vintage Star 7/1
NR: Broadway Buffalo (IRE)
12 ran Distances: nk, 24l, 3¾l
TIME 6m 36.70s (slow by 30.70s)

Brian Harding, riding for Alistair Whillans, just fends off the challenge of Benbens in desperate conditions

Samstown
© Grossick Racing Photography

Despite having made an early mistake, Samstown looked well on top once he gained the lead two fences from home under Brian Harding.

The Alistair Whillans-trained eight-year-old laboured along the run-in, though, with what was at one stage an unassailable lead reduced to a neck at the line. Vintage Star finished third, some 24 lengths further in arrears.

Whillans' son and assistant, Ewan, said: "When he came back from Cheltenham last month he was quiet for a couple of weeks, but he's come back to himself.

"Brian said they went too quick for him and he couldn't lie up as he's not the quickest. They played into his hands by probably stopping in front, and he was pulling up in front.

"There's the Grand National Trial here next month, but we think we're going to be running him in the Kim Muir (at Cheltenham), so he might go for the Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier here the same day instead. The Scottish National is his main target."

Peter Marsh Chase (Limited Handicap)
£50,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 1f, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Heavy