Saturday’s Ascot Chase betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
JUST six runners but a top-class renewal of the Ascot Chase.
The market is headed by Waiting Patiently, who beat Cue Card in this valuable contest 12 months ago.
1. Aso - Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch (16-1)
Excellent weight carrying performance to win a big race at Cheltenham last time out.
This is an altogether different test, though he could run well at a price.
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2. Charbel - Kim Bailey/David Bass (12-1)
Impressive winner of the Peterborough Chase but a little disappointing at Kempton.
Needs to produce a huge career-best to land this valuable prize.
Kim Bailey on Charbel
"This is a very, very competitive race - it could easily be at the Cheltenham Festival.
"On form, he can't win it. We have to raise our game hugely to win this race.
"He is the lowest-rated horse in it, but he deserves to be running.
"He either goes here, or to Cheltenham (next month) - and his experiences there so far have not been great."
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3. Cyrname - Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden (11-4)
Bolted up in a big-field handicap with plenty of depth at this track last time.
That was by far his best performance, but he was gifted an easy lead there and unlikely he will have his own way up top this time.
4. Fox Norton - Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power (6-1)
Had a brilliant spring in 2017 and shaped with promise on his return when second to Altior here.
Good chance if building on that effort now, but the dreaded 'bounce' factor is a worry.
Colin Tizzard on Fox Norton
"He had a lovely prep race against Altior.
"He's a lovely looking horse and he's had three or four weeks now and we should see a better horse.
"This is prep race to see whether he's going to stay for the Ryanair Chase or go in a race where Altior frightens off half of them (Queen Mother Champion Chase)."
5. Politologue - Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies (7-2)
Rock-solid Grade 1 performer who didn't get home in the King George last time.
Drop in trip is a big plus and he has won here, so he ought to run a big race.
6. Waiting Patiently - Ruth Jefferson/Brian Hughes (7-4)
Very talented chaser who beat Cue Card when landing this Grade 1 last term.
Unlucky to lose his rider in the King George on Boxing Day - the one to beat.
Ruth Jefferson on Waiting Patiently
"It's easy to see why he has been made favourite.
"Bar Politologue, he has the strongest form in the book - and he has also beaten Politologue before (in a Grade 2 Haydock novices' chase two years ago).
"We'll have to take our chance, all being well - there are no easy Grade 1s.
"I will walk the course. He is a horse with a high knee action - as long there is soft, he will run.
"If we didn't think it was right for him, then he wouldn't."