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Royale Pagaille starred on an incredible day for trainer Venetia Williams and owner Rich Ricci when battling bravely to land the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
A brave Royale Pagaille fought back to see off the new kid on the block Grey Dawning when landing his second successive Betfair Chase, completing the opening leg of a big race across-the-card treble for trainer Venetia Williams.
Torrential rain saw conditions worsen throughout the day at the Merseyside venue, music to the ears of Royale Pagaille connections with the Venetia Williams-trained ten-year-old a proven performer in testing ground.
Venetia Williams mud-lover, who was towards the fore for much of the 3m1 ½f stamina-sapping contest, looked booked for second when Dan Skelton's young pretender Grey Dawning struck the front approaching the final fence. However, last year's Turners Novices' Chase winner made a mess of the last, halting his momentum and it was at this moment that Charlie Deutsch sensed a glimmer of hope on Royale Pagaille, who with pure grit and determination, rallied back to the head of affairs before going on to score by two lengths.
The French raider Gold Tweet performed creditably in fourth, with Bravemansgame sticking on well in the first-time blinkers to claim the bronze medal spot for Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies.
Having fractured his shoulder when falling in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on his last start in January, Royale Pagaille has been expertly nursed back to his best by Venetia Williams, who later trained progressive handicap chaser Martator to complete a five-timer at Ascot before Charlie Deutsch steered Fontaine Collonges to victory over the same Betfair Chase course and distance, capping off a fantastic day for trainer, jockey and owner.
"It was unbelievable because he was beaten, wasn't he? He has had to do all the hard work and has been a bit careful at the obstacles in this ground," said a jubilant Williams.
"He is a horse I'm very proud of and Rich has got a very nice horse to carry his colours in this country.
"I bought him as a four-year-old and I'm sure Rich won't mind me saying that it took me a year to get an owner for him!
"I knew in the summer that there was a possibility that Rich could get his 100th Grade 1 winner here.
"We'll see as to the future. He has been second in a King George and won the Peter Marsh here twice – he would have been back for a third last season, but it was abandoned. The ground is key for him, and he usually doesn't get it after February going into March but who knows maybe this year will be different.
"Haydock is similar to Newbury where he has also run well in that it is dead flat, but he doesn't usually get his ground there. He has a low head carriage and the way he carries himself means galloping tracks suit him better."
Charlie Deutsch added: "He is a legend and has got such a lovely attitude, he is such a kind horse.
"For him to win this twice really sets it in stone. It's just incredible. It wasn't as pretty today – we had to set the fractions ourselves and some of the fences we took with us. But I think that was because of the ground and he was being economical in getting from A to B. He kept going forward.
"When Harry (Skelton) came to us, I thought we were beaten. I just gave him a dig after the last and he really tries hard. He dug deep and I think it was his genuine character that got him home."
The victory also capped an incredible achievement for learning owner Rich Ricci, who was present in Merseyside to watch his 100th winner at the top-level. "It's fantastic. It was brilliant," said the winning owner, who has enjoyed some memorable days on the racecourse courtesy of Faugheen, Annie Power, Vautor and Royale Pagaille,
"The rain came, and Venetia has done a brilliant job with him. Willie has won 98 of the 100, but this meant a lot doing it here as I love Haydock. The people here are great.
"He's not the most talented and probably wouldn't win the Gold Cup, but his record here is amazing. I heard Grey Dawning had gone past him and I thought he would finish second, but Charlie said he just asked him again and went past him again. It's just unbelievable.
"The way he dug in after the last was amazing and you just dream of these moments. It would have been nice if Willie had done it (trained 100th winner) because he's done 98 of them, but it will keep him on his toes as well!"
"A lot of the horses we've had have been incredibly talented and while he's talented too, he's sort of a journeyman. He tries hard and that's important to me and I thought it was great," he added.
"You can make as much money as you want, but you can't buy thrills, happiness and emotion and that is what this sport brings, good and bad.
"We've had some great days and some horrible days and it's these things you live for, that's why you're in the game and I love it."