The Grade 1 Ascot Chase was run for the first time in 1995 but it has quickly established a notable roll of honour with winners including top-class equine stars such as One Man, Teeton Mill, Monet’s Garden, Kauto Star, and Cue Card.
The race is run at Ascot over a trip of 2 miles and 5 furlongs, during which time the runners have to jump 17 fences. It is open to any horse aged five or older.
Ascot Chase 10-Year-Trends
- Winners were rated between 162 and 172
- Winners have been aged between seven and 12
- Eight of the last 10 favourites have won
- SP’s of the winners have ranged from 4/9 to 11/2
- Nicky Henderson has trained two of the last nine winners
Ascot Chase 2019 Main Contenders
Waiting Patiently
Won last year’s renewal when rated 164 and, off his new mark of 170, would be the joint second-highest rated winner in the last decade. The hallmark of last year’s victory was his ability to travel easily behind a brutal pace set by Cue Card, one which the rest of the field couldn’t handle. There should also be plenty of pace here and, with the forecast soft ground in his favour, he’ll be tough to beat.
Cyrname
Has always been highly-regarded by his trainer Paul Nicholls but his 21-length demolition job in a handicap over course and distance last time came completely out of the blue. The handicapper raised him 15lb to a mark of 165 for that win, so he only has 5lb to find and he could easily find it as he’s younger than the other principles.
Politologue
Stablemate of Cyrname and is actually rated 3lb above him on a mark of 168. He’s also recorded two wins from two runs over course and distance and, though those two wins came in grade two company, he has won a grade one chase. Didn’t quite seem to stay three miles in the King George last time and this race has always been on his agenda for the season, but he was beaten by Waiting Patiently as a novice.
Fox Norton
Has mainly been campaigned over two-miles over fences including when narrowly beaten in the 2017 Champion Chase and when beaten half a length by Politologue in the 2017 Tingle Creek Chase. Ran as well as could have been expected when beaten seven lengths by Altior on his return from injury over two miles at Ascot last time and it’s interesting that he was an impressive winner of a grade one chase on his only other start at two and a half miles.
Ascot Chase 2019 Summary & Betting Tip
The four main protagonists are separated by just 5lb on official ratings and a win for any of them would be no great surprise. However, the lightly-raced Waiting Patiently deserves to be backed to confirm the big impression he made when winning last year’s edition, especially as we may not have seen the best of him yet.
Ascot Chase 2019 Tip
Waiting Patiently