The Ascot Chase is the feature race today and the Grade One contest should provide punters with more 2023 Cheltenham Festival clues as Shishkin and Fakir D’oudairies, who are both possible Ryanair Chase runners, are entered in the 2m5f event.
Ascot Chase Sees Six Runners Heading to Post
Six runners have held their ground for Saturday’s feature contest – the Grade One Ascot Chase, which is staged at (you guessed it) Ascot raceourse. The field are headed by last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies, who is back for more – but all the headlines are likely to taken up by the return of former Arkle Chase winner Shishkin and his road to recovery.
All Eyes On Shishkin’s Recovery Mission With Cheltenham In The Balance
This Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin was meant to be mopping up at least one of two Champion Chases – well, that’s what most racing fans expected after winning the 2021 Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with ease.
However, after an epic battle with Energumene in the 2022 Clarence House Chase that effort seemingly left its mark as Shishkin then flopped in last season’s Champion Chase and was well back in the field in the Tingle Creek at Sandown on his return run in December.
Shishkin Has Had Another Wind Operation Since His Last Run
Connections are sticking by their chaser though and having had a wind op back in September 2021 has had another since that last Sandown run and is also upped up trip for the first time this Saturday (2m5f) – could these two factors help Shishkin rediscover his old form?
Many feel, Shishkin has been crying out for the longer distance, having hit flat spots in his races over 2m at times – only to finish off powerfully. We also know he likes Ascot – winning the Clarence House at the Berkshire track – plus let’s not forget he’s still one 7 of his 9 chase starts.
He’s got a lot of questions to answer, but certainly won’t be without his supporters on Saturday.
Ryanair Chase Option for Shishkin – If He Runs Well At Ascot
A solid run – win or lose – in the Ascot Chase will prompt connections to head to Cheltenham with Shishkin and a tilt at restoring his reputation in the Ryanair Chase @ 7/2 with BetUK on Thursday 16th March.
It’s a race trainer Nicky Henderson has won twice before, with his most recent winner Riverside Theatre in 2012 – who, incidentally, also landed the Ascot Chase prior to taking that Cheltenham race.
However, a poor run from Shishkin on Saturday and connections are unlikely to risk him at Cheltenham and it’s anyone’s guess if they might call time on his career – we’ll see.
Fakir D’Oudairies Hopes to Become Only Second Back-to-Back Ascot Chase Winner
With a lot of the attention on Shishkin, then last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies is somewhat going under the radar ahead of Saturday’s Ascot Chase. But, he’s certainly the more solid option for horse racing punters not wanting to take a chance on Shishkin returning to form.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained 8 year-old will be looking to become only the second ‘back-to-back’ Ascot Chase winner since the race was first run in 1995 – with Riverside Theatre (2011 & 2012) the other horse to do successfully defend his crown. Although it’s worth pointing out, the likes of Monet’s Garden, Cue Card and Tiutchev have all won the Ascot Chase twice – just not ‘back-to-back’.
Fakir D’oudairies was a tidy 1 3/4 length winner of the Ascot Chase last season (watch below) and this term has run in the same two prep races for this at Punchestown and Thurles. Therefore, if you are a believer of history repeating itself, then look no further than Fakir.
Another win here and this will firm up his Ryanair Chase price of 3/1 with BetUK ahead of that Cheltenham Festival day three contest.
Ascot Chase Betting with BetUK
Latest 2023 Ascot Chase betting with BetUK as we see last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies as the current favourite, but Shishkin and Pic D’Orhy are not far behind in the market.
- Shishkin 15/8
- Fakir D’oudairies 2/1
- Pic D’Orhy 5/2
- Millers Bank 11/1
- First Flow 16/1
- Aye Right 66/1
Note: Correct 18th Feb, but odds are subject to change
Ascot Chase Trends to Help Find The Winner
See below our top 12 Ascot Chase trends to help you find the best profile based on past winners of the race. Apply these Ascot Chase stats to the final six runners to see which horses have the most going for them.
- 20/20 – Won over at least 2m4f (fences) previously
- 18/20 – Winners from the top 3 in the market
- 17/20 – Ran within the last 7 weeks
- 16/20 – Officially rated 157 or higher
- 14/20 – Favourites placed
- 13/20 – Winning favourites
- 8/20 – Won over fences at Ascot previously
- 8/20 – Won their last race
- 6/20 – Winners that ran in that season’s Ryanair Chase (1 winner, Cue Card) later that year
- 3/20 – Trained by Paul Nicholls (2 of the last 7)
- 2/20 – Trained by Nicky Henderson
- 11 of the last 16 winners returned 2/1 or shorter in the betting
What Date & Time Is The 2023 Ascot Chase?
📅Time/Date: 3:35pm (Saturday 18th February 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
💰 Purse/Winner: £99,663
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Ascot Chase Recent Winners
- 2022 – FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (9/4 fav)
- 2021 – DASHEL DRASHER (4/1)
- 2020 – RIDERS ONTHE STORM (7/2)
- 2019 – CYRNAME (3/1)
- 2018 – WAITING PATIENTLY (2/1 fav)
- 2017 – CUE CARD (4/9 fav)
- 2016 – SILVINIACO CONTI (2/1 fav)
- 2015 – BALDER SUCCES (4/1)
WATCH: Fakir D’Oudairies Winning The 2022 Ascot Chase
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