Pic D’Orhy is set to face five rivals in his bid to land the Grade 1 Ascot Chase for the second season in a row on Saturday.
Paddy Power’s new horse racing ambassador Harry Cobden steered the gelding to a 5½l defeat of L’Homme Presse in last year’s renewal and the latter renews rivalries as a prep for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Corbetts Cross is also being primed for the Cheltenham Festival feature and makes the trip across the Irish Sea, although he has disappointed in two runs this term.
Blue Lord is the other Irish raider in the pack and attempts to win one of the few Grade 1s that trainer Willie Mullins has yet to plunder.
Le Patron and rank outsider Flegmatik complete the field for Saturday’s 15:37.
The latest Ascot Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Ascot Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: Last year’s winner PIC D’ORHY goes particularly well here and makes plenty of appeal in his quest to take the prize home again. Likeliest dangers L’Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross would both prefer stiffer tests of stamina but the former filled the runners-up berth 12 months ago and may do so again.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Ascot Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Ascot Chase 2025.
Blue Lord
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Very smart chaser at best but hasn’t fired in either start this term and has something to prove tried over longer trip here.
**
Corbetts Cross
Trainer: Emmet Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser who landed National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March before a fine third in Bowl at Aintree (25f). Proved somewhat disappointing in King George last time but must be taken seriously here despite concerns over the drop back in trip.
***
Flegmatik
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Useful handicapper at best but will likely be looking for minor prize money against this opposition.
*
L’Homme Presse
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Top-class chaser who posted creditable third in King George at Kempton on return before getting back to winning ways in 6-runner Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (25.2f, soft) 21 days ago. Looks sure to be involved again despite his marked preference for jumping out to his left.
****
Le Patron
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: David Noonan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Grade 1-winning novice chaser who made a taking comeback when landing handicap at Newbury (19.9f) in November. Poor run at Cheltenham next time but this course should be more up his street and no surprise if he bounces back to form.
***
Pic D’Orhy
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 10 Weight: 11st 10lbs
High-class chaser with a fine record at this venue (won this contest 12 months ago) and didn’t need to be at his best when landing 4-runner 1965 Chase on return over C&D in November. Sure to have been primed for repeat bid and holds strong claims.
*****
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Cheltenham Festival? Dates for this year’s mega meeting
- Cheltenham Festival race times and schedule for 2025 meeting
- Antepost Betting: What exactly is antepost betting on horse racing?
- Harry Cobden: I wouldn’t swap Pic D’Orhy for anything else at Ascot on Saturday
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