Grade One Ascot Chase Guide 2023

Returns after a 76-day break following his third-place finish in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in December which followed another third in the classic Grade One Clarence House Chase at Ascot last January which saw Shishkin edge Energumene in a thrilling contest.

He’s a reliable sort who has won Grade One chases, including the Clarence House Chase in 2021.

He’s been lightly run over the last year and is a course winner, so can’t be dismissed, especially at his price in the market.

Smart 10-year-old chaser who comes here off the back of a fourth-place finish at Wetherby in a Handicap Chase in December.

He was pulled up at Newcastle beforehand, where L’Homme Presse edged Into Overdrive and is winless since 2021, where he won the Rehearsal Chase at the same course.

Big outsider here at 50/1 and looks likely to be dismissed.

Paul Nicholls sends Pic D’Orhy here to challenge for his fourth victory in a row, following a hat trick of wins at Newton Abbot, Huntingdon, and Kempton over the last five months.

The last of those wins came at Kempton, where he won the Grade Two Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase by 16 lengths, ahead of Clondaw Castle.

His Grade Two showings have been impressive and looks ready to step into Grade One company following a number of wins at that level.

He’s improving with each run and goes off a mark of 162 here and must be respected.

Shishkin returns after a 77-day break following his disappointing return in the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December, where Edwardstone and Greaneteen finished ahead of the 6/5 favourite on the day.

That came after he was pulled up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival in March last year, where he was visibly uncomfortable from the start.

Nicky Henderson sends him here, up in trip following those disappointing showings and could win if back to his best form.

Excellent chaser for Joseph O’Brien who won this race last year, beating Two For Gold by just under two lengths.

He won the Grade Two Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles last month, where he was set to come second before leader Haut En Couleurs fell at the last.

He was a somewhat disappointing fifth in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April last year before finishing second in the John Durkan at the same course in December, behind 2/9f Galopin Des Champs.

Fakir D’Oudairies has won numerous Grade One chases and comes into this one at 11/8 favourite and can see another big run from the eight-year-old here. He looks the one to beat.

Grade One Novice winner who came second in the Grade Two Peterborough chase at Huntingdon in December, two lengths behind fellow runner Pic D’Orhy.

Followed that with a disappointing run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day last year, where he never challenged for victory against some top runners, with Bravemansgame winning the contest.

He does have a Grade One novice chase winner in the bank as mentioned but this looks a tough ask for the nine-year-old gelding.