The only Grade 1 over fences at Ascot races today, the eponymous Betfair Ascot Chase, headlines the card in Berkshire on Saturday, 15 February. It features a rematch between last year’s first and second Pic D’Orhy and L’Homme Presse.
A distance of two miles five furlongs seems optimum for Paul Nicholls’ charge around here. Venetia Williams drops her horse back in trip after landing the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials Day, however, en route to another possible tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There is extra intrigue in the Ascot Chase this time around, however.
That is due to the presence of Irish raider Corbetts Cross, another Gold Cup hopeful, and trainer Emmet Mullins hasn’t been shy about using unusual Cheltenham preps for this runner before. Willie Mullins also sends Blue Lord over from the Emerald Isle for a fascinating renewal.
Elsewhere at Ascot races on this day, the chief supporting race is the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase. This features its own rematch from nearby Windsor as Hampton 1-2 Jingko Blue and Lowry’s Bar do battle again. There are also a number of handicaps for punters to get stuck into on horse racing betting sites including the Swinley Chase.
Step forward our experts who have been through all the runners on the main card with a fine toothcomb in search of value. See what they have to say about all the jumps races at this meeting below. Read on for expert analysis of six contests.
Ascot Races Preview for the 2025 Ascot Chase Card
1:15 – 2m 7.5f Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-125)
Not an easy opener by any means. Handicap debutant Bective Abbey could be anything, but hasn’t run for almost 300 days. The lightly-raced Nicky Henderson trained favourite doesn’t represent value, so instead HARDY FELLA looks an each-way alternative. Trained by Emma Lavelle, he has a good record in staying hurdle races like this.
Hardy Fella, up 5lb for stringing them out at Market Rasen last time, is also a notable outside ride for Harry Cobden. Doncaster winner Blue Hop could also be of interest, but he’s now 10lb worse off with re-opposing third and bottom weight Golden Cosmos. That’s because Dr Richard Newland books stable conditional Luke Scott for the ride and he takes 5lb off.
Ithaka is also lurking towards the foot of the handicap here and could easily outrun his odds. Towards the top of the weights, the market speaks favourably of Dubrovnik Harry, and course and distance winner Thank You Ma’am. The latter represent mother-daughter trainer-jockey duo of Georgie and Olive Nicholls up 7lb for making all here the last day.
1:50 – 3m Grade 3 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase
🔴⚪️ JINGKO BLUE adds to what has been a great weekend as he follows up his chase debut victory to maintain his unbeaten start to life over fences. pic.twitter.com/BnxXpH19z2
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) January 19, 2025
The Tizzard stable boasts an even better recent record in the Reynoldstown. Perennial chasing maiden The Changing Man just can’t seem to win a race, though, but could easily hit the frame again. Peaky Boy has left Seven Barrows for Jackdaws Castle and a new owner, so that recent change of scene might not be ideal.
He was a useful horse when in the care of Henderson, but now makes his debut for Jonjo O’Neill. With Leave Of Absence way behind on official ratings, it does look like Hampton pair Jingko Blue and Lowry’s Bar fighting out the finish with The Changing Man also on the premises but not quite able to get his head in front.
2:25 – 2m 3.5f Class 2 Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle
What a weekend @HarryFryRacing1 and @Bryan_Carver_
are having! ALTOBELLI runs a fantastic race and wins the @BetMGMUK Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle Race.#Ascot pic.twitter.com/KYICTsq86j— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 18, 2025
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge finished less than five lengths behind the favourite on that occasion. Moveit Like Minnie now meets Altobelli off 5lb better terms and Finn Lambert takes off an additional 3lb with his claim. That swing in weight could make all the difference. It certainly means Moveit Like Minnie makes plenty of each-way appeal off bottom weight.
Others lurk, however, and Jour d’Evasion beat a now 142-rated rival and subsequent Newbury winner around Hereford when last in action for Henry Daly. Country Park had far too much to do when runner-up over further here the last day, but now makes his handicap debut for the O’Neill family in first-time cheekpieces.
If they have the desired effect, then an opening mark of 121 looks exploitable. Country Park must also be ridden more prominently dropping back in trip. Patriotik split two next time out winners when runner-up at Aintree on Boxing Day, meanwhile, so should go well again for Evan Williams and daughter Isabel, who still takes 3lb off.
Another Henderson handicap debutant in French recruit La Pinsonniere could be anything. Lavelle runs Doncaster winner Classic King off a 5lb higher mark for a six-length success. That might be fair treatment, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise is something lower down rather than towards the top of the handicap landed this.
3:00 – 3m Swinley Chase (Premier Handicap)
Tough mare Terresita wins eased down at @Ascot under @GavinSheehan92… pic.twitter.com/8uipLg2UJm
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 18, 2025
It might be best to concentrate on those with winning form at Ascot races in recent times. That whittles down the field of 11 to a shortlist of three and TERRESITA shapes like this trip will suit her. Lucy Wadham’s mare has been struggling to go the pace over 2m 5f, indicating the necessity of a longer distance. Terresita is an improving sort after landing a Listed race around Carlisle in the autumn.
Last year’s winner and topweight Threeunderthrufive and Victtorino, who really does love this course and distance, are much closer together now. When the pair met in the Silver Trophy just before Christmas, the latter received 12lb in weight. The difference is now just 7lb between them, so Paul Nicholls’ charge could be prime for a successful defence.
Venetia Williams boasts a fine record in the Swinley Chase, however, and Victtorino has course and distance form figures of 1141. If not one of these, then the likes of Annsam, another winner over this track and trip in his younger days; the improving Hasthing, Sodexo Gold Cup second Highstakesplayer and bottom weight Snipe all have shouts.
3:37 – 2m 5f Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase
L’Homme Presse isn’t alone in using this as Gold Cup prep, though, for all it didn’t work last season. Corbetts Cross needs a lot further, but shouldn’t be lacking in stamina over this distance and could pick up the pieces. Le Patron is a difficult horse to catch right, but the same comments apply to Blue Lord, so it’s hard to say who takes minor honours.
On official ratings and all known form, Flegmatik shouldn’t be able to land a blow on any of these, who have all won Grade 1 races before. Around this track and trip, Pic D’Orhy may simply have too many gears for the genuine staying steeplechasers who could compromise their Cheltenham chances in the process.
4:10 – 2m 3.5f Class 2 Novice Hurdle
Light work! First Confession cruises home in the opener at @Ascot for @brendanp1995 and @TizzardRacing… pic.twitter.com/jjR2LXC8Do
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 22, 2024
His hurdling debut third around Cheltenham prior to scoring here reads really well. Although First Confession couldn’t land a blow on Potters’ Charm, that one went on to Grade 1 glory over the festive period. With his sights lowered significantly, this could be a good chance to land the spoils.
Kingston Pride pulled up in a Sandown Grade 2 when last in action, so needs to bounce back also dropped in Class. Anthony Honeyball puts first-time blinkers on Crest Of Fortune, meanwhile, but his form simply doesn’t look as strong as the Tizzard horse. It’s a pity Just A Rose is a non-runner, because that unbeaten mare would’ve had a good chance.
