Rich Ricci so proud of gallant Royale Pagaille in defeat

Rich Ricci’s veteran chaser Royale Pagaille almost provided his colourful owner with a third Betfair Chase and a second Grade One on the day, after Lossiemouth’s victory at Punchestown.

Trained by Venetia Williams, Royale Pagaille is now 11 but looked as good as ever in ground that was quicker than he would ideally like.

He only gave best close home to Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning, who had looked like beating him 12 months ago only for Royal Pagaille’s stamina to kick in.

This year, on quicker ground, Grey Dawning was able to cruise up on the bridle, with Harry Skelton only asking for an effort inside the final 100 yards.

Nevertheless, Ricci was as proud as punch of his charge, and explained he was delighted to be at Haydock, despite missing out on Lossiemouth’s success.

“I’m absolutely delighted I came to Haydock. To be honest I didn’t even know Lossiemouth was going to be running this weekend until I got back from North America on Thursday,” he said.

“The reception he got when he came back was lovely and I love coming here. I’d already promised the people at Haydock I was coming and didn’t want to let them down.

“I thought Grey Dawning would beat us last year and I was hoping we’d get a bit more rain before today.

“I think we might come back to the Peter Marsh, I was going to retire him but he seems to love it still and he loves the course. He ran a stormer and that’s probably the next target.”

As for Lossiemouth, who did as expected as the 1-5 favourite in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, Ricci said: “We ran because we wanted to know a bit more about her and I’m not sure what we learned really.

“She didn’t jump as well as she can, she ran into the bottom of a few, but she looked very good all the same.

“Just don’t ask me where she goes next, because I haven’t a clue!”