Jockey Charlie Deutsch admits that it would be incredible if Royale Pagaille could add a ‘bit of history’ to his career by becoming the first horse to win three successive renewals of the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

Since the inception of the Grade One prize back in 2005 both Bristol De Mai and Cue Card have won it three times, with Kauto Star claiming it on a record four occasions, however none of them managed to land the £200,000 contest three times on the spin.

However, the Venetia Williams-trained 11-year-old will now have that chance on Saturday (November 22nd) to do that by backing up his 2023 success in the race and his win in the extended three miles and one furlong contest over the re-opposing Grey Dawning from 12 months ago.

And although statistics suggest he has it all to do with the mighty Kauto Star, the last horse to win the race as an 11-year-old when claiming it for a record-breaking fourth time in 2011, the Grade One-winning rider insists he is excited about the challenge.

Sponsor Betfair make Royale Pagaille a 4-1 chance to bring up the treble on Saturday.

 

Deutsch, who has been aboard Royale Pagaille for both of his previous wins in the race, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. We know he can do it, which is always nice going into a race like this, as it sounds like there will be a few younger horses taking us on.

“It would be quite amazing if he could join those great three-time winners of the race. I really want him to do it as he really deserves it, and it would be great to add a bit of history to his career.

“You’d have to ask him why he likes it so much around there! I think he likes the long straights there as he just comes alive there.

“When you ride him around there he zips around the bend and pricks his ears. He loves that tight home bend and long home straight for some reason.

“If you could make a track for him, this is the one. It's nice that he likes it there as he is like a football team playing at home when he races around Haydock Park.

“It would be incredible if he could win it three times in a row.”

Up until now little has been spoken of the Rich Ricci-owned Blue Bresil gelding, with much of the attention being adorned to his younger rivals Grey Dawning, Haiti Couleurs and Handstands, who feature among a total of seven entries going forward for the first British Grade One race of the season.

However, Deutsch is happy to play the role of the underdog once again aboard the defending champion.

He added: “You would think there would be a huge amount of pressure on him after winning it twice, but there isn’t.

“He has always been treated like the underdog, and it is quite nice not having the pressure on us.

“Another reason why I want him to do it is because the younger horses always get a lot more press I find, and I can see why as they are unexposed, but it would be lovely to beat the younger horses.

“It is what Jump racing is all about these clashes between the younger horses and older ones.

"I really want him to do it, and although racing often doesn’t work out like that, I hope it does on Saturday.”

 

And while Deutsch points to Royale Pagaille’s sole defeat in the race when finishing runner-up behind A Plus Tard in the 2021 renewal as his most challenging run in it, he expects his qualities to be given a thorough test given the level of opposition taking him on.

He added: “We were second to A Plus Tard in his first go in the race, and that was probably his toughest run in it.

“Last year wasn’t easy because Grey Dawning was a progressive young horse and I think it took a bit of time for him to get over the run, and that was a pretty tough race.

“Haiti Couleurs is stepping up in class, but everything he has done suggests that he is capable of it, and then there is also Handstands, who has to prove himself over the trip, and then of course there is the Grey Dawning re-match.

"Grey Dawning put up a mighty performance in the race last year and we just outstayed him to the line basically.

“We know Grey Dawning will be fit for this and I think he is the big threat. Everyone will be getting excited about Handstands and Haiti Couleurs, because they are the new ones, and they have both had a run

“All three are worthy opponents.”

Following his latest success in the race Royale Pagaille failed to really threaten in four subsequent starts last season culminating with pulling up in the Randox Grand National at Aintree in April.

But the 29-year-old is confident that the real Royale Pagaille will turn up at his favourite hunting ground, especially if the rain arrives, and supply the Cheltenham Festival winning rider with a victory that would give his campaign a real kick-start.

He added: “I think you can forgive him for his runs after winning this as he has been slightly in and out throughout his career, and you wouldn’t want to judge him when everything wasn’t one hundred percent in his favour.

“I’ve not sat on him too much, but I will school him this week. Jerry (Roberts), the travelling head lad at Venetia's, rides him every day and he seems to be pleased with him.

“I would like plenty of rain as that helped us last year. Grey Dawning put up a mighty performance in the race last year and we just outstayed him to the line basically.

“He does go on better ground, and he feels good on it. The only thing is that if there is a younger horse that has got another gear, the soft ground just blunts their speed, a bit like with Grey Dawning last year.

“I’ve won the Charlie Hall already this season (on Djelo), but I’ve only had four winners this season and a victory like this would help get me going a bit.

“If you can’t get quantity, then try to aim for quality, and that is what we will be doing here. Winning another Grade One would be amazing.”

 

Betfair Chase, latest Betfair odds:

• Grey Dawning 11-8
• Haiti Couleurs 100-30
• Royale Pagaille 4-1
• Handstands 11-2
• Stellar Story 11-1
• Hitman 16-1
• Marsh Wren 33-1

Each Way: 1/4 Odds, 2 Places