A recap of Ascot Chase Day
Arguably the last major jumps racing meeting before everyone’s attention turned to next month’s Cheltenham Festival, all eyes were on Berkshire on February 19th as Ascot Chase Day took place at the royal racecourse. Storm Eunice certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of those who made their way to Ascot to get their fix of racing action, as it proved to be a good day for the punters with plenty of favourites in the horse racing betting romping over the line to help beat the bookies.
That said, let’s take a look back at all the action from the exciting seven-race card. Read on to find out more.
Novices’ Hurdle
Skytastic set the tone nicely in the opening race of the day, a GBB Novices’ Hurdle. The 6/5 favourite was pressed hard at the final hurdle, but a good jump set him and jockey Charlie Deutsch up nicely for the run-in and the Sam Thomas-trained horse held off 12/1 shot Scarface to win by nothing more than a neck after a thrilling battle down the home straight.
Result
1st. Skytastic (6/5F)
2nd. Scarface (12/1)
3rd. Ballyblack (3/1)
Reynoldstown Novices Chase (Grade 2)
The first graded race of the day went in the favour of Kim Bailey’s Does He Know. It wasn’t the most conventional race form the seven-year-old, as he looked far from fluent at times and jumped awkwardly to lose ground at the 13th fence. However, despite various mistakes throughout the three-mile race, jockey David Bass shook him up and rode him home to a comfortable 14-length victory over Doyen Breed. Corach Rambler, the favourite, unseated his rider after a mistake five out.
Result
1st. Does He Know (9/2)
2nd. Doyen Breed (4/1)
3rd. Annual Invictus (5/1)
Swinley Chase (Limited Handicap) (Listed Race)
The second biggest priced winner of the day, Fortescue won the Listed Swinley Chase from 7/1. Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof was heavily expected to win the three-mile contest, but despite a good jump and a clear lead after the last, he had nothing more to give in the final 110yards and Henry Daly’s Fortescue swooped in to win by a length and a half.
Result
1st. Fortescue (7/1)
2nd. Fiddlerontheroof (15/8F)
3rd. Truckers Lodge (20/1)
Handicap Hurdle
It proved to be a good afternoon for Thomas and Deutsch as they returned to the Ascot winner’s enclosure with a victory in the GBB Handicap Hurdle. Towards the rear at the start of the 10-hurdle race, Good Risk At All quickly made his way through the field, taking the lead two out and he was nudged along to go clear on the run-in — winning easily by nine lengths clear of Christopher Wood.
Result
1st. Good Risk At All (6/4F)
2nd. Christopher Wood (16/1)
3rd. Lucky One (40/1)
Ascot Chase (Grade 1)
The favourite prevailed once again in the card’s showpiece event — the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. Pressing hard and going best three fences out, Fakir D’ouadairies jumped well to lead after the last and kept on well to beat 25/1 shot Two For Gold by little less than two lengths. The JP McManus-owned horse is now fancied at 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase, but will have his work cut out to deny Allaho.
Result
1st. Fakir D’oudairies (9/4F)
2nd. Two For Gold (25/1)
3rd. Fanion D’Estruval (9/2)
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11/4 favourite Art of Diplomacy was stunned by 14/1 chance Guillemot in the penultimate race, finishing 12 lengths adrift in second in the Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Final Qualifier), while Kraqueline, another 11/4 market leader, could fare no better than runner up in the Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race — finishing half a length behind Roc Of Dundee (10/3).
