Six runners have been declared for the 2026 renewal of the Grade 1 Ascot Chase this Saturday. The race is named after the track at which it is run and is the final top level race before Cheltenham.
The headline clash expected after the entries is on too, as both Jonbon and Pic d’Orhy were declared. Both horses have entered the veteran stage of their careers, but are multiple Grade 1 winners previously.
Jonbon has maintained his record of having never finished outside the first two under rules. The ten-year-old won at Ascot last month, landing the Clarence House Chase despite odds-on favourite Il Etait Temps’ presence. That grey had beaten Jonbon easily twice in a row, but Nicky Henderson’s charge bounced right back with a gutsy triumph over Thistle Ask.
Pic d’Orhy, meanwhile, is the two-time defending champion in the Ascot Chase. He has won those two editions by a combined 15 lengths, though knows what it is like bumping into a Henderson runner in the race. He was beaten by Shishkin in the 2023 renewal.
King relishing taking on big guns with 12-year-old Edwardstone
This would not appear to be a vintage edition of the Ascot Chase in all. Another horse well into the twilight of his career taking part is Edwardstone. However, he would have easily the third best chance on ratings in the race, though trainer Alan King is under no illusions of the challenge.
“There is a lot of prize-money up for grabs and we’ll see if we can pick up a piece,” King said to the Press Association via Ireland Live. “We’re under no illusions about taking on the two big guns so we’ll see how we get on.”
However, the trainer reports his charge to be in a good place despite his advancing years.
“The old boy seems in good form. I would have preferred slightly better ground, but…we’ll see how he gets on.”
Other Saturday fields diminished by absentees
As reported by trainer Jeremy Scott on Friday, Golden Ace will head straight to Cheltenham. She is absent from the Kingwell Hurdle line-up on Saturday at Wincanton.
Instead, the main name taking part in that Grade 2 will be Alexei. Colin Tizzard’s charge is widely considered to be a dark horse for the Champion Hurdle and will face three rivals. Chief among those is the consistent Rubaud, with Intellotto and Secret Squirrel making up the field.
Finally, at Haydock, Myretown is one of 11 set to contest the Haydock Grand National Trial. The race, as its name suggests, is a trial for Aintree’s great race. However, it could yet serve as a Gold Cup trial for Myretown, who retains his entry in Cheltenham’s blue riband event.