• Royale Pagaille wins for second year running
• Charlie Deutsch’s mount edges out Grey Dawning

Royale Pagaille, a Haydock specialist who thrives in the mud, stayed on strongest of all from the final fence to land the Grade One Betfair Chase for the second year running here.

The first Grade One contest of the winter campaign was a compelling advertisement for staying chasers, as a mud-spattered Grey Dawning, perhaps Britain’s best hope for a Gold Cup success at Cheltenham in March, came with what looked to be a winning challenge at the last fence. Charlie Deutsch on Royale Pagaille, though, dug deep again after being headed and fought back to lead well inside the final furlong before crossing the line two lengths ahead.