Six went to post for the 2026 edition of this Grade 1 affair. Out on his own at the head of the market was the Nicky Henderson-trained, Grade 1-winning machine, Jonbon. While never quite able to get his act together at the Cheltenham Festival, the JP McManus-owned star had performed magnificently elsewhere. Arriving at Ascot with 11 top-level triumphs – six more than the rest of the field combined – he was the horse they all had to beat. Unbeaten in three starts at Ascot, the track wasn’t expected to pose an issue, but he did have stamina to prove as he raced over 2m5f for the first time.
If there was a horse to upset the market leader, the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’orhy boasted by far the strongest claims. Making his 1th appearance at Ascot, the mount of Harry Cobden was a five-time course winner. Significantly, two of those five victories came in this contest. Much too good for L’Homme Presse in 2024, he slammed Corbetts Cross by 10 lengths in the 2025 edition. The 11-year-old would become the first three-time Ascot Chase winner if coming home in front.
Rated as high as 170 in his pomp, Alan King’s Edwardstone was the third Grade 1 winner in the field. While not the force of old (the most recent of his Grade 1 triumphs came in 2022), he did at least arrive in form following a solid success in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton.
Rated 142, 134, and 131 respectively, Blow Your Wad, Heltenham, and Classic Maestro had a mountain to climb with the two at the head of the market. Barring accidents, it would be a major surprise if any of that trio claimed top spot on the podium.
Result
- 1st – Jonbon 4/9F, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 2nd – Pic D’orhy 5/2, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 3rd – Blow Your Wad 33/1, Jockey: Freddie Mitchell, Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £99,662.50
- 2nd – £37,397.50
- 3rd – £18,725
- 4th – £9,327.50
- 5th – £4,690
- 6th – £2,345
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £1.45
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.10, 2nd – £1.40
- Exacta – £1.90
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £2.02
- Trifecta – £10.50
Recap
Having made all the running when winning the 2024 and 2025 editions, Harry Cobden wasn’t about to change tactics in this hat-trick bid. Pic D’orhy duly grabbed the lead against the inside rail. Jonbon kept him company towards his outside, with a break of a couple of lengths back to Blow Your Wad, Edwardstone, and Classic Maestro. Tristan Durrell and Heltenham brought up the rear in the opening exchanges.
There was little change in the order as the runners moved into the back straight. Pic D’orhy now two lengths clear of Jonbon, who was followed by Edwardstone, Blow Your Wad, and Classic Maestro. Heltenham was visibly struggling to keep up with the pace and becoming detached from the main group of five.
Passing the winning post for the first time, Pic D’orhy completed a foot-perfect first circuit. Jonbon also moved well but had lost ground when jumping out to his left at a couple of fences. It was then three lengths back to Edwardstone on the inside, who sat just in front of Blow Your Wad and Classic Maestro.
Moving into the final mile, it became clear that the two market principals would fight out the finish. With Pic D’orhy setting a relentless gallop, Jonbon’s stamina faced a stern examination.
Turning for home, Pic D’orhy moved a length clear, with Jonbon briefly hitting a flat spot and Nico de Boinville becoming more animated in the saddle. The hat-trick looked to be on as Harry Cobden asked for more approaching the second last, but Jonbon wasn’t done with yet. Galvanised by the de Boinville drive, he was soon on the girths of the leader. Jumping the last fractionally ahead, Jonbon turned away the final effort of Pic D’orhy to forge clear for a 1½l success. The defending champion went out on his shield in second with Blow Your Wad plugging on to take a distant.
A fifth Ascot Chase triumph for Nicky Henderson, who moved to within one of Paul Nicholls at the top of the all-time trainers’ table. A second win in the race for Nico de Boinville, following the success of Shiskin in 2023. The wonderful Jonbon, meanwhile, made it a round dozen Grade 1 successes. In the 21st century, only the legendary Kauto Star has more top-level wins over fences.
Runners
- 1. Blow Your Wad – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore, Jockey: Freddie Mitchell
- 2. Classic Maestro – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Jennie Candish, Jockey: Luke Scott
- 3. Edwardstone – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 4. Heltenham – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Tristan Durrell
- 5. Jonbon – SP: 4/9F, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 6. Pic D’orhy – SP: 5/2, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
Non-Runners
All Ran