Ascot Chase Runners Guide: Experience To The Fore In Grade 1

The Ascot Chase is the final Grade 1 staged in Britain before attention fully turns towards the Cheltenham Festival, and this year’s renewal looks a fascinating tactical affair despite attracting a small but select field of six. Run over two miles five furlongs on soft ground, the Ascot Chase often provides a strong pointer towards the Ryanair Chase or Aintree targets later in the spring, and Saturday’s contest features a clear market leader alongside several proven performers at this level.

With pace, jumping accuracy and stamina all likely to be tested around Ascot’s demanding circuit, the race could develop into a tactical contest rather than a true end-to-end gallop, placing a premium on positioning and experience in Grade 1 company. Below, we take a look at the six runners lining up for this year’s feature and assess their chances.

Jonbon - Nicky Henderson - 10YO

Nicky Henderson’s star chaser arrives as the clear focal point of the race and is expected to start a short-priced favourite. Already a multiple Grade 1 winner over shorter trips, Jonbon has developed into a complete chaser and despite his lofty price tag all those years ago, he has more than repaid JP's investment. His Ascot form suggests this track suits his rhythm and jumping style particularly well. The step up to this intermediate trip looks the key question rather than class, as he has often done his best work around two miles, but his ability to travel strongly and quicken off a steady pace could prove decisive in a small field and with the horse getting older, his handler seems to think he could be at his best over this sort of test.

If Nico de Boinville can conserve energy early and avoid turning this into a stamina test, Jonbon’s turn of foot may simply be too strong for his rivals. The market suggests connections expect him to stay, and if he does, he sets a very high standard and is the one they all have to beat..

Pic D’Orhy - Paul Nicholls - 11YO

Paul Nicholls’ charge has an outstanding record at Ascot and is likely to make his presence felt once again in a race that has suited him well in the past. A strong traveller who jumps fluently when in rhythm, Pic D’Orhy tends to perform particularly well on this track where his accurate jumping can put pressure on rivals from some way out. He did flop last time out here in the 1965 Chase, which was unusual, but his trainer reports he is back A1 for this and there's no doubt this is his season's Gold Cup.

The concern at this stage of his career is whether he retains quite the same finishing kick against younger rivals, particularly Jonbon and especially if the race develops into a sprint from the second last. However, if allowed to dictate or sit prominently without pressure,  as he has done to great success here over the years, he is more than capable of turning this into a test of jumping and track craft, which plays directly to his strengths.

Edwardstone - Alan King - 12YO

A high-class chaser in his pomp and still capable of producing smart form, as he showed when getting his head in front at Kempton in the Silviniaco Conti Chase five weeks ago. That win proved there is still life in him, and with Tom Cannon booked he should be ridden positively enough to hold a position. The worry is whether he can live with the younger legs when it matters, especially if Jonbon gets into a smooth rhythm and kicks. Even so, he is not here to make up numbers and could easily be the one who picks up the pieces if the race turns messy.

His best performances have been when front-running but his connections have resisted that urge in favour of more patient tactics throughout his career. Ascot is a stiff test, but with Pic D'Orhy a proven successful front runner here it could be foolish to allow him too much rope on the front end. Edwardstone clearly still has the heart, but he does not have the pace of yesteryear to reel in such a relentless rival if he gets into a rhythm, so a prominent ride is required.

Blow Your Wad - Gary & Josh Moore - 8YO

A bold entry for Gary and Josh Moore and one who arrives with something to prove at this level. He has shown ability in the past and his Ascot effort earlier in the season was not without promise, but this is a big leap into Grade 1 company and he needs to find plenty on the figures. In a race likely to be controlled by classier operators, he may be ridden for a place and hope the principals underperform.

Classic Maestro - Jennie Candlish - 8YO

On his day he can travel and jump well, but his recent jumping record is a concern and it is hard to be confident in him in a Grade 1 where one mistake can end your chance. He comes into the race with form that suggests he is capable of running respectably in handicaps, yet this is a very different test and the pressure is relentless when the tempo lifts turning for home at Ascot. He has the ability to outrun big odds if he gets into a rhythm, but the ceiling looks limited against this opposition.

Heltenham - Dan Skelton - 9YO

Dan Skelton’s runner is the wildcard and looks up against it on ratings, but small-field Grade 1s can sometimes become tactical and that can bring a lesser-rated horse into play if the favourites do not get a clean run. He is likely to be ridden to sit close enough without getting involved too early, then see what is left late on. Realistically he needs others to underperform, but in a six-runner race you do not need to be a superstar to nick third if things go your way.