1965 Chase Odds

Although it generally plays second fiddle to the Betfair Chase at Haydock, Ascot's 1965 Chase regularly proves to be an intriguing affair in its own right, and you can find the odds for the 2020 renewal here a little closer to the time. 

1965 Chase Tips

The 2019 renewal of the 1965 Chase saw a titantic battle between Altior and Cyrname, and you can find our tip for the 2020 renewal here a little closer to the time. 

What is the 1965 Chase?

The 1965 Chase is a Grade 2 race, which is run over a trip of two miles and five furlongs at Ascot in November. 

The race is open to horses aged four and over, and takes place on the same day as the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Like the Betfair Chase, the 1965 Chase is also often used as a trial race for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, with the distance often proving a good platform before the step up to three miles. 

There are 17 fences to be jumped at the Berkshire venue which means only competent jumpers will be rewarded, and there is likely to be an excellent field heading to Ascot for the race once again this season.

What happened in last year's 1965 Chase?

The 1965 Chase generally lives in the shadow of the Betfair Chase at Haydock, though the 2019 renewal threatened to steal the limelight, as it featured a much-anticipated match race between Altior and Cyrname. The reigning Champion Chaser Altior arrived at Ascot with a staggering record of 19 races unbeaten over obstacles, and he was having his first start at further than two miles. He was facing a rival in Cyrname, though, who was a top-class performer in his own right, having obliterated a string of Grade 1 performers when taking apart the Ascot Chase over this trip back in February. A game front-runner, Cyrname set a strong tempo from the beginning and slowly began to draw the sting out of a game Altior, who certainly stayed the trip - closing all the way to the line, but found Cyrname just too tough a nut to crack on this occasion.

The history of the 1965 Chase

The original incarnation of the race took place in 1988, but it has been run under various guises and conditions ever since.

Between in 1994 and 2004 the race was a limited handicap race for first and second season chasers over two and a half miles, before becoming a conditions race in 2009. 

The trip was extended to its current trip in 2016, with the name in commemoration of the first year that jumping took place at Ascot Races in 1965. The last ten years in particular has seen the race grow in stature, and several big names have joined the roll of honour.

Who is the most iconic winner of the 1965 Chase?

There have been some excellent winners of the 1965 Chase over the past twenty years with horses like Red Marauder, Albertas Run, Al Ferof and Vautour claiming victory in the race but it is Master Minded who stands out as the best.

The Paul Nicholls-trained superstar was a dual Champion Chase hero before stepping up in trip later in his career, and although he never quite reached the top again, the intermediate trip of the 1965 Chase suited him down to the ground. The Ditcheat in-mate won in Berkshire in 2010 and 2011 to mark himself out as one of the best horses this century, and he rightly deserves his place as the most iconic winner of the Grade Two.

Are there any trials for the 1965 Chase?

There are no straight trials for the 1965 Chase itself but punters can follow a number of races to get an idea of potential runners at Ascot.

The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham the previous season could produce a runner or two for the 1965 Chase, while horses stepping up in trip from two miles could also head to Berkshire the following year. The race will often be used as a trial for the King George itself, as Politologue showed in 2018 when he won at Ascot before heading to Kempton on Boxing Day for a crack at the three-mile race.

Who is the most successful jockey in the 1965 Chase?

The joint most successful jockeys in the history of the 1965 Chase are Daryl Jacob and Ruby Walsh, with two wins each. Jacob won the race on Master Minded (2011) and Al Ferof (2013), while Ruby Walsh picked up successes on Al Ferof (2014) and Vautour (2015).

Who is the most successful trainer in the 1965 Chase?

The most successful jockey in the history of the 1965 Chase is Paul Nicholls, with seven wins. The Somerset handler has won the race with Cerium (2006), Master Minded (2010 & 2011), Al Ferof (2013 & 2014), Politologue (2018) and Cyrname (2019).