A select field of six runners headed to post for the 2025 edition of the Ascot Chase. For much of the week preceding the race, the defending champ Pic D’orhy headed the market. Just over five lengths too good for the field in 2024 and an impressive winner of the 1965 Chase on his seasonal return, he looked to have strong claims of displaying his love for Ascot to winning effect.
The 2024 runner-up L’Homme Presse returned for a second crack at this valuable prize. The Venetia Williams star may have finished a little closer to Pic D’orhy, but for continually jumping out to his left twelve months ago. In form following a tenacious victory in the Cotswold Chase, he looked like an obvious contender if straightening up in the jumping department.
The 2024 one-two brought strong course and distance form to the table, but the Irish raider Corbetts Cross was the choice of punters on the day. Whilst yet to hit top stride in two outings this season, he had looked like a horse out of the very top drawer when claiming the 2024 National Hunt Chase by a resounding 17 lengths.
Of the others, Le Patron looked good the first time out at Newbury but needed to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the December Gold Cup; Blue Lord was proven in Grade 1 company but was without a win since 2022, and Flegmatik had a mountain to climb on ratings.
Result
- 1st – Pic D’orhy 9/5, Jockey: Harry Cobden, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
- 2nd – Corbetts Cross 7/4F, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Emmet Mullins
- 3rd – Blue Lord 18/1, Jockey: J J Slevin, Trainer: Willie Mullins
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £100,131.50
- 2nd – £37,866.50
- 3rd – £19,194
- 4th – £9,796.50
- 5th – £5,159
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.80
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.50, 2nd – £1.30
- Exacta – £6
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £5.49
- Trifecta – £33.40
Recap
Once underway, Pic D’orhy, Corbetts Cross, L’Homme Presse, and Le Patron all seemed keen to lead and created a wave of four across the track. Harry Cobden ultimately won that battle, grabbing the inside rail to move into a one-length advantage over the second fence. L’Homme Presse narrowly edged Corbetts Cross for second, with Le Patron and Blue Lord around two lengths further back. Flegmatik was in no hurry and five lengths adrift in the rear.
Moving into the back straight, Pic D’orhy set a solid pace and found a lovely jumping rhythm out in front. The same couldn’t be said for Corbetts Cross, who made a niggly mistake at the third or L’Homme Presse, who blundered more significantly at the fourth. Blue Lord and Le Patron maintained their positions as Flegmatik slipped a little further back.
Passing the winning post for the first time, Pic D’orhy bowled along smoothly at the head of affairs, five lengths clear of the Irish duo of Corbetts Cross and Blue Lord. L’Homme Presse was badly affected by his blunder and dropped back to last before being pulled up by Charlie Deutsch.
With the leader continuing to pour on the pace, the remaining runners became increasingly strung out over the back straight. Pic D’orhy was five clear of Corbetts Cross, who sat three clear of Blue Lord, with five lengths back to the toiling Le Patron. Flegmatik set his own fractions in last position.
On the home turn, there already appeared to be only one likely winner. Following another superb leap over the third last, Harry Cobden afforded himself a glance back at his vigorously ridden rivals. Ten lengths clear approaching the last, Pic D’orhy maintained that advantage to the line following a magnificent front-running display. Corbetts Cross plugged on for second, with Blue Lord in third.
A record-extending sixth Ascot Chase win for Paul Nicholls, whilst Harry Cobden’s third success saw him join Barry Geraghty at the top of the jockeys table. Pic D’orhy hit his big target for the season to become the fifth dual winner of the race, alongside Tiutchev, Monet’s Garden, Riverside Theatre, and Cue Card.
Runners
- 1. Blue Lord – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 2. Corbetts Cross – SP: 7/4F, Trainer: Emmet Mullins, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 3. Flegmatik – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 4. L’Homme Presse – SP: 11/4, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- 5. Le Patron – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore, Jockey: David Noonan
- 6. Pic D’Orhy – SP: 9/5, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
Non Runners
All Ran