Grade One Ascot Chase Guide 2022

A good third last time out in the King George. He took up the running three out, and looked like he was cantering all over the field.

Saint Calvados was ultimately outstayed there, and perhaps he would have gone closer given a better ride – Gavin Sheehan did kick fairly early on this horse.

Saint Calvados has benefitted from extreme hold up tactics before, he doesn’t seem to find loads off the bridle, so patience is needed.

However, he’s back down to a much favourable distance here and if the King George hasn’t left it’s mark on him, he’s huge claims.

A very distant second to Ryanair favourite, Allaho on his previous start. Prior to that, he was again behind Allaho, and two other Willie Mullins horses.

He did win a Grade 2 on his first start this season, over just shy of two and a half miles on soft ground.

The conditions will be in his favour today and on the formbook, he holds a better chance than most.

An admirable Jeremy gelding, who’s proved tricky thus far in his career. There are suspicions that he’s just shy of Grade 1 level, having been PU, UR, PU – in his last three attempts in Grade 1 company.

He was an impressive winner at Kempton last time out however, beating subsequent impressive winner Eldorado Allen – which is good form.

In with a shout, but likely to fall short.

Beaten by the well handicapped Phoenix Way last time at Ascot. The pair pulled 16L clear of the third. Fanion D’Estruval is a good horse, and will love the softer conditions.

However, he is probably a bit short of some of the form on offer in this company. He does have more potential than most in here though, and he looks to be improving.

He will need to have his ground and improve again on his C&D second last time out, to be in with winning this.

Winner of this race last year, Dashel Drasher definitely saves his best for Ascot – boasting figures of 4/5 at the course. He was beaten a short head by Two For Gold, last time out in a tactical affair.

Back to familiar territory in Ascot here – he will be able to dictate on his terms, with no other out and out front runner in the field. He might get an easy lead, and he’ll be hard to peg back if doing so.

Big chance.

An in and out sort from the Tizzard yard. The Tizzards have been in good form recently which is a plus, but which Lostintranslation turns up is a big question mark.

He looked backed to his best over C&D in November, beating course specialist Dashel Drasher out of sight. He then looked to back up that performance in the King George, but he finished 5th of 5 finishers (4 horses failed to complete).

The King George form hasn’t been advertised well thus far, with lots of horses disappointing thereafter – if none the worse for the King George test, he should be competitive.

Unbeaten this season, winning a handicap at Doncaster and latterly taking the scalp of Dashel Drasher in a competitive class 2 chase at Lingfield.

Two For Gold looks a completely different horse this year and his form suggests he’s definitely worth a chance at this level.

He may well come up short against some multiple Grade 1 winners here, but he’s entitled to his place in this line up. Hard to quantify his true ability – might run better than the market suggests.

Waiting Patiently is winless since his victory on this day in 2018, beating; Cue Card, Frodon, Top Notch and other very good horses.

He has been placed several times but has been fairly difficult to campaign. His desperate need for soft conditions has meant we’ve not seen him as much as we’d like.

However, he should get soft enough conditions today, but he’ll need to bounce back from his disappointing performance behind A Plus Tard last time out at Haydock – when failing to finish.

Waiting Patiently will need to roll back the years here, but with conditions perfect, he might just be in with a squeak. It would be a surprise if he won – but stranger things have happened.