Cheltenham aspiration for Blue Bresil's Royale Pagaille after Haydock demolition

Glenview Stud's Blue Bresil looks to have a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender after the Venetia Williams-trained Royale Pagaille sluiced up in the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock on Saturday under top weight.

Ridden by Tom Scudamore, Royale Pagaille defied 11st 10lb to come home on his own and earn quotes for a range of festival options, notably the Gold Cup, for which he is now mainly 10-1 and challenging for second-favouritism behind dual winner Al Boum Photo.

If he takes his chance at Prestbury Park next month, he will be bidding to follow in the footsteps of his sire's previous Cheltenham winner in Grand Annual victor Le Prezien.

Scudamore said: "To be able to do that on this ground off 156 beating them 16 lengths is very impressive. That was a hell of a thrill. He’s jumped well and taken me all the way down the back straight.

"I got there sooner than I’d have liked but he was going so well. He was fabulous today and the world is his oyster. I’ll leave the rest up to Venetia [Williams] and Rich Ricci but it was a pleasure to be here to ride him today."

The seven-year-old, who started his career in France for Francois Nicolle, was making it three wins from as many starts this term and added further black type to his name and that of his dam, the winning Villez mare Royale Cazoumaille.

A €70,000 purchase from Arqana in November 2018, Royale Pagaille put up two placed efforts in novice chase company for Williams last season, having won over hurdles in France.

The French-bred is the fifth foal out of Royale Cazoumaille and is a half-brother to Royal Astarania, a four-time chase winner including of the Grade 2 Prix Murat at Auteil in 2015.

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