We profile the final declarations for Saturday's Grade 1 feature at Ascot - the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Betfair Ascot Chase
- When: 3.35, Saturday February 17
- Where: Ascot
- First prize: TBC
- Going: Good to Soft
- TV: ITV & Sky Sports Racing
AHOY SENOR (Lucinda Russell)
Huge horse with an engine to match but jumping issues just not going away and hopes pinned on a drop back in distance and switch to a right-handed track. We've seen plenty of horses go well from the front here if getting into an early rhythm but that looks a longshot right now and he'll continue to be vulnerable to slicker rivals, though last month's low-key Cotswold Chase effort was in part due to a tack problem.
L'HOMME PRESSE (Venetia Williams)
Superb strike-rate (7-9) over fences and still looks to have unfinished business at the top table having missed more than a year after unseating rider in the 2022 King George at Kempton. Back with a very solid performance when defeating Protektorat at Lingfield last month, warming to the task as he went, and no surprise if he's sharper in the jumping department on this occasion. The easier the ground the better but going back right-handed no issue at all and he's very much the one to beat in this company.
PIC D'ORHY (Paul Nicholls)
Solid operator at Grade 2 level and got his moment in the Grade 1 sun when scoring from Fakir D'oudairies in last year's Marsh Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting. Ultimately impressive when taking advantage of Shishkin's refusal to take part over this course and distance on his November comeback, before another creditable effort when just failing to concede 3lb to Banbridge at Kempton last month. Basically know what you'll get from him, but may have to settle for minor honours again if the favourite performs.
SAIL AWAY (Dan Skelton)
Clearly out of his depth at this sort of level but it could be a clever ploy to try and get his mark raised a little to help make the cut for the Grand National, for which he is entered in April. Running reasonably well in defeat all season, including when fourth in Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster last time, and typically comes into his own with a bit of spring sunshine on his back. Best watched for the time being.
Conclusion
L'HOMME PRESSE looked a bit rusty on his Lingfield comeback but that was perfectly entitled to be the case and it's good to see connections cracking on and running again before a possible shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup (not engaged in the Ryanair Chase). He won a Grade 1 as a novice around Sandown so this right-handed isn't a major concern, despite his tendency to go a little left at time including before coming to grief in the 2022 King George. Pic D'Orhy is the obvious choice for forecast purposes, though Ahoy Senor could just be coming back to the boil and might be the value alternative to follow the odds-on favourite home.
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