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Betfair Ascot Chase
This iconic race is part of the BetFair Ascot Chase Day Meeting at one of Great Britain's favourite race courses, a day which features seven high profile events covering races of Grade 1 to Grade 3. As the main race, the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase, is considered the unofficial final outing for steeple chasers training to partake in the Cheltenham Festival. In any case, the Ascot Chase Day offers excitement to rival any other major racing event or festival. Being the feature race, the Ascot Chase has a prize fund of £150,000; of which a whopping £84,495 are reserved for the winner of the race. The distance to go measures two miles and five-and-a-half furlongs, a staying distance testing the horses' stamina and endurance.
Apart from the much anticipated feature race, the BetFair Ascot Chase Day Meeting will dazzle you with:
- The Handicap Hurdle Race, a Class 2 event with a total prize fund of £50,000
- The Reynoldstown Novices' Steeple Chase, a Grade 2 / Class 1 staying race over a distance of three miles with a prize fund of £30,000
- The Trisoft Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 3 Race with a prize fund of £22,500 over a distance of one mile and five furlongs
- The Novices' Hurdle Race, a Class 3 staying distance race, two miles and three-and-a-half furlongs, with a total prize fund of £8,000
- The Mares' Novices' Hurdle Race, a Class 3 two mile race competing for a prize fund of £8,000
- The Gardiner & Theobald Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, a two-mile bumper race with a prize fund of £8,000
The Ascot Chase was introduced as an event in 1995, and has been run as an annual Grade 1 National Hunt race ever since. While Ascot Racecourse was undergoing extensive renovations, the Ascot Chase was moved to Lingfield Park, which resulted in a change of its original distance of two miles and three-and-a-half furlongs. When the race moved back to Ascot Racecourse in 2007, the distance changed again; until the current distance of two miles and five-and-a-half furlongs was introduced in 2008.
Recent Winners of the Ascot Chase:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
2010 |
Monet's Garden |
12 |
Barry Geraghty |
Nicky Richards |
2009 |
Voy Por Ustedes |
8 |
Robert Thornton |
Alan King |
2008 |
Kauto Star |
8 |
Ruby Walsh |
Paul Nicholls |
2007 |
Monet's Garden |
9 |
Tony Dobbin |
Nicky Richards |
2006 |
Our Vic |
8 |
Timmy Murphy |
Martin Pipe |
2005 |
It Takes Time |
11 |
Jamie Moore |
Martin Pipe |
2004 |
Hand Inn Hand |
8 |
Mark Bradburne |
Henry Daly |
2003 |
Tiutchev |
10 |
Tony McCoy |
Martin Pipe |
2002 |
Tresor De Mai |
8 |
Tony McCoy |
Martin Pipe |
2001 |
Tiutchev |
8 |
Mick Fitzgerald |
Nicky Henderson |
2000 |
Rockforce |
8 |
Joe Tizzard |
Paul Nicholls |
Betfair Ascot Chase Odds and News
21 Feb 2010: Age Before Beauty – Monet’s Garden triumphs at Ascot
Saturday the 20th saw a victory of experience and persistence over youthful confidence when 12-year-old Monet’s Garden outjumped a field of young contenders to take the win at the Betfair Ascot Chase. With Alberta’s Run placing second and The Swayer, who was considered the weakest starter of the race, making a valiant run for third place, Saturday’s race was a parade of surprises.
Favourite Planet Of Sound took a fall at the fifth hurdle; and Herecomesthetruth and Oh Crick were unable to stand their ground against the force and determination displayed by unlikely victor Monet’s Garden. Ridden by Barry Geraghty, the Richards-trained old hand of steeple chasing did not give his juniors a chance to pass him.
After a disappointing result at the Amlin1965 Chase at Ascot on 21st November 2009, which saw Monet’s Garden placing a lowly 6th out of eight starters, and being defeated by Alberta’s Run who snatched an impressive win at the event, it is clear that the grey gelding is back to true form – much to the delight of his connections.
Equally delighted was The Swayer’s trainer Bob Buckler, who was proud to see his charge rise from outsider status and place successfully. There are now future plans of entering The Sawyer into races at Cheltenham and Auteuil.
19 Feb 2010: Final Entries for Betfair Ascot Chase
17 Feb 2010: All-Star Line-Up for Betfair Ascot Chase
