IT proved a disappointing return to Haydock for Wye Valley trainer Venetia Williams and Royale Pagaille on Saturday – as their bid for a Peter Marsh Handicap Chase hat-trick fell flat, pulled up five from home.

Having won the race in 2021 and 2022, with the last two races cancelled, hopes were high that Royale Pagaille could contine the form that saw him successfully defend the Betfair Chase crown last month on his favourite course.

But it wasn't to be for the 5/2 favourite, as a mistake seven from home saw jockey Charlie Deutsch pull the out-of-sorts 11-year-old up two fences later, with King's Caple 66/1 stablemate Chambard also pulled up by jockey Lucy Turner.

Sam Thomas – given his first professional rides by Williams over 20 years ago – was celebrating as a trainer though, as the Gold Cup-winning former jockey's evergreen Iwilldoit finished a battling second in the £100,000 Grade 2 showcase.

Thomas' 2021 Welsh Grand National winner – third again in the £150,000 Chepstow race just three weeks ago at the age of 12 – was up with giant Irish raider Mr Vango hitting the last in the prestigious 3mile 1f handicap chase.

The nine-year-old 4/1 shot under Welsh jockey Jack Tudor then bounded clear of Dylan Johnston's mount to take victory by 3L to spark talk of a Grand National challenge in April, with Iwilldoit securing a £21,370 pay day in second.

While Royale Pagaille never seemed happy giving a stone in weight and more to his rivals at his beloved course, there was better news from Ascot for Williams and her yard, where jockey owner David Maxwell rode In D’or to a second win over fences in the 1m 7f BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle to scoop the £8,900 winner’s prize.

Elsewhere, Sellack trainer Ryan Potter’s 12/1 shot Jetoile finished sixth at Market Rasen in the 2m 5f Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase on Friday, making a mistake two out and falling back.

But other charges Ithaka at 10/1 and Knockanore at 11/2 placed third respectively in the handicap hurdle and handicap chase.