15:38 Ascot

Saturday 19 February 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3816:1016:45

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 5m 44.06s

Dashel Drasher²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 159| BF| CD

6/1

Landed this contest 12 months ago (third C&D win) and he comes here on back of short-head second to Two For Gold at Lingfield (22f) 27 days ago. Tough sort who can't be discounted in follow-up bid.

Form: 111-312

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Fakir D'Oudairies²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 163| D

9/4

Top-class Irish chaser who scored impressively at Clonmel in November. Good second to Allaho in Grade 2 at Thurles last time given he made a bad error at the first. Goes well in the mud. Big player.

Form: 213-142

Fanion D'estruval²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 162

9/2

Arrives on the up, taking winner at Newbury before excellent second in handicap over C&D last month. Back up in grade but not to be underestimated with yard in flying form.

Form: 445-412

Lostintranslation^t⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 157| CD

14/1

Back on track after wind surgery when Grade 2 winner over C&D in November. Well-held fifth in King George VI Chase at Kempton only run since though, so he has a bit to prove once more.

Form: 3P5P-15

Mister Fisher³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160| D

7/1

High-class chaser who regained winning ways in Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton (20.5f) by 1¾l from Eldorado Allen. Firmly in the picture if his jumping holds up.

Form: 1PU2-P1

Saint Calvados^t⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162

7/2

High-class chaser who returned from wind surgery (also tongue tied first time) with good third in King George VI Chase at Kempton on his first run for Paul Nicholls. Needs considering.

Form: 422/4U-3

Two For Gold^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 154| D

25/1

Tough and reliable chaser who made it 2-2 this term when edging out Dashel Drasher in Lingfield conditions event last month. Meets that rival on 6 lb worse terms here though, so more is required.

Form: 313U-11

Waiting Patiently^p⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 160| CD

28/1

Top-class chaser in 2018 (took this race), but winless since and he was pulled up on his stable debut in Betfair Chase at Haydock in November. Has serious questions to answer at present.

Form: 33/23P-P

Forecasts

Fakir D'Oudairies (9/4), Saint Calvados (7/2), Fanion D'estruval (9/2), Dashel Drasher (6/1), Mister Fisher (7/1), Lostintranslation (14/1), Two For Gold (25/1), Waiting Patiently (28/1)

Top-class Irish chaser FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES was an impressive winner of Aintree's Melling Chase when last seen on these shores in the spring so he looks the way to go given he also handles the mud really well. Fanion d'Estruval represents the all-conquering Venetia Williams and is feared most, although King George third Saint Calvados and last year's victor Dashel Drasher should also have a say.