Horse Racing Tips: Betfair Ascot Chase Predictions, Preview and Best Bets

The Ascot Chase, a cornerstone in the British horse racing calendar, is set to captivate audiences and punters alike on Saturday 17th of February at 3.35 PM. This Grade One spectacle, hosted at the esteemed Ascot Racecourse, is renowned for its challenging two miles and five furlongs distance, testing the mettle of competitors over seventeen formidable fences.

The race, established in 1995, has evolved in distance and prestige, offering a significant first prize and attracting a competitive field.

Read on the latest preview, predictions, and best bets from our horse racing expert Herrin Kendick for this important race and also make sure to take advantage of the handpicked bookmaker offers listed below to increase your betting value.

Betfair Ascot Chase Preview, Predictions And Best Bets

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Betfair Ascot Chase Best Bets

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Ahoy Senor

Lucinda Russell’s charge is a formidable presence with an undeniable power but has been hampered by persistent jumping issues. A strategic change to a shorter distance and a right-handed track aims to mitigate these challenges. Despite a commendable effort in the Cotswold Chase, vulnerabilities remain, particularly against more agile competitors.

Fakir D’Oudairies

Joseph O’Brien’s former champion returns, having secured victory in 2022 followed by a Grade 1 triumph at Aintree. However, his recent form has waned, with a solitary win in a modest field since then. Elevated competition levels pose a significant hurdle to recapturing past glories.

L’Homme Presse

Venetia Williams’ contender boasts an impressive record and returns with aspirations of dominance after a hiatus. A solid performance against Protektorat signals readiness for this challenge, with adaptability to the going and track direction enhancing his prospects.

Pic D’Orhy

Paul Nicholls’ adept performer has consistently excelled at Grade 2 and seized a Grade 1 opportunity at Aintree. Recent outings suggest reliability, though overcoming the favourite might be a tall order once more.

Sail Away

Dan Skelton’s entrant, potentially aiming for Grand National qualification, faces a steep challenge at this level. Despite respectable seasonal performances, expectations are tempered for this outing.

Predictions for the Betfair Ascot Chase

Favourite to Win: L’Homme Presse

L’Homme Presse has distinguished himself as the standout favourite for the Ascot Chase, a position underpinned by an impressive array of performances leading up to this contest. His journey thus far is marked by a commendable strike-rate over fences, underscoring not only innate talent but a consistent ability to navigate the complexities of high-stakes races. This consistency is a vital indicator of his preparedness for the challenges that Ascot presents.

The resilience he demonstrated following a period away from racing – notably his triumphant return against Protektorat – speaks volumes about his condition and competitive spirit. This particular victory, achieved despite a substantial break, illustrates his capacity for rapid re-acclimatisation to racing’s rigours, suggesting that any perceived rustiness from his Lingfield outing is unlikely to hinder his performance at Ascot. Furthermore, his adaptability to varying ground conditions and track orientations enhances his prospects, rendering him a versatile and formidable adversary.

An area ripe for further scrutiny is his jumping proficiency. While already commendable, there’s potential for L’Homme Presse to refine this aspect of his performance. Improvement in this domain could decisively tilt the scales in his favour, particularly in a contest where agility and precision at the fences are paramount. His training regime, aimed at honing these skills, coupled with his natural aptitude, positions him as the likely victor in this strategic battle.

Primary Challenger: Pic D’Orhy

Pic D’Orhy emerges as the principal challenger to L’Homme Presse, bringing to the fore a track record of high-level performance and resilience. His consistency across Grade 2 competitions, crowned by a Grade 1 victory, attests to his prowess and reliability in the field. This reliability, a cornerstone of his racing career, ensures he enters the Ascot Chase as a serious contender, poised to capitalise on any opportunity.

His tactical victory at Aintree, coupled with commendable efforts in subsequent outings, showcases a competitor well-versed in the nuances of top-tier racing. These performances suggest a horse at the peak of his abilities, ready to contend with the best. However, the shadow cast by L’Homme Presse’s formidable presence is an undeniable hurdle. For Pic D’Orhy to surpass this challenge, he will need to leverage every ounce of his skill, experience, and perhaps most critically, seize the moment should the favourite falter.

Pic D’Orhy’s approach to Ascot will need to be one of calculated aggression and impeccable timing, qualities he has exhibited but will need to manifest in greater measure to ascend to the top. The dynamics of their previous encounters and Pic D’Orhy’s proven capacity for excellence set the stage for a thrilling confrontation, with the potential to either reaffirm the existing hierarchy or redefine it.

The Dark Horse: Fakir D’Oudairies

In the realm of horse racing, the allure of the dark horse is perennial, embodying the sport’s inherent unpredictability and the perpetual possibility of surprise. Fakir D’Oudairies embodies this role, bringing a mix of proven pedigree and latent potential that could disrupt the established order. Despite recent performances that may not inspire outright confidence, his history of success, including a previous Ascot Chase victory, cannot be overlooked.

His journey since that pinnacle has been fraught with challenges, yet within him lies the capability for resurgence. The very essence of a dark horse lies in the ability to defy expectations, to harness the latent potential and translate it into performance when it matters most. For Fakir D’Oudairies, the Ascot Chase represents an opportunity to recapture the form that once saw him reign supreme.

Bettors and enthusiasts looking for value beyond the favourites may find in Fakir D’Oudairies an appealing prospect. His higher odds reflect the uncertainties surrounding his current form, yet they also offer the promise of significant reward should he conjure a return to his best. The key to unlocking this potential lies in the preparation leading up to the race and the strategic choices made on the day. Should conditions align and Fakir D’Oudairies tap into his well of capability, he could well emerge as the story of the race, a reminder of the ever-present potential for surprise that makes horse racing endlessly captivating.

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