Ascot, saturday 01/19/2013. THE sponsor is happy for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot to remain a level-weights Grade 1 contest, but on Monday BetVictor gave punters a much-needed alternative to backing or opposing 1-6 favourite Sprinter Sacre.

BY JON LEES & BEN HUTTON

Sprinter Sacre

Sprinter Sacre (right): no bigger than 1-5 for victory at Ascot on Saturday

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) 

Sanctuaire hot favourite at Ascot – without Sacre

 BY JON LEES & BEN HUTTON 7:12 PM 14 JAN 2013 

THE sponsor is happy for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot to remain a level-weights Grade 1 contest, but on Monday BetVictor gave punters a much-needed alternative to backing or opposing 1-6 favourite Sprinter Sacre.

Jump racing’s star performer has a maximum eight rivals, but those hoping for a lively each-way heat – as BetVictor themselves are – are very likely to be disappointed, with a couple of the outsiders, His Excellency and Mad Moose, holding alternative engagements and others with question marks against their participation.

The Victor Chandler was a handicap prior to 2007, and were it still then Sprinter Sacre would have to concede 12lb toSanctuaire and a stone to last year’s winner Somersby - though of course connections might not have chosen to contest the Ascot race in those circumstances.

Sanctuaire, who was routed by Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, was installed 5-4 favourite in betting without Sprinter Sacre, with Somersby 13-8, Wishfull Thinking 5-1 and Kumbeshwar 6s.

BetVictor spokesman Charlie McCann said: “Sanctuaire was no match for Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek but he is still our 5-4 favourite to win or finish second to the favourite on Saturday.

“Last year’s winner Somersby will have his first start for Mick Channon at the weekend and if in the same form as he was 12 months ago must have his supporters at 13-8, although he was, subsequently, beaten out of sight by the Paul Nicholls-trained runner at Sandown when possibly not at his very best.”

chris stickels ascot clerk of course

Chris Stickels: unclear forecast

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) 

What snow that fell at Ascot during Sunday night was gone by Monday night, but the forecast remains cold.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: “We had a dusting of snow this morning and it snowed during the day, but it melted as it touched the ground, putting 4mm in the rain gauge.

“It’s not been as cold either. We have a couple of -5C forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday morning, and less cold for Friday and Saturday, although the picture remains a little unclear.”

Most firms joined those already betting on the Victor Chandler before Monday, with the favourite 1-6, except with William Hill, who offered 1-5. It is 20-1 bar the Racing Post Arkle winner, Sanctuaire and Somersby, who are both set to take him on.

BetVictor also sponsor the extended £70,000 2m5f handicap chase at Ascot, several of whose entries are also engaged in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

Venetia Williams-trained Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup entryKatenko heads the market for the Peter Marsh at 9-2 with Betfred, ahead of fellow Gold Cup hope Bold Sir Brian at 5-1, but Paddy Power made Bold Sir Brian 7-2 favourite, quoting Katenko at 9-2.

Our Mick could make his debut in either the Ascot race or the Peter Marsh, for which he is best at 8-1 with Betfred.

Trainer Donald McCain said on Monday: “He’ll go to Haydock subject to it being on.”

Of prospects for the fixture, which is due to form the Channel 4 double header with Ascot, Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said on Monday: “We’d have been able to race today but the forecast isn’t great; it’s getting increasingly cold, with the risk of snow, and we might have a couple of nights at -6C.”

Ascot, SAT 19 JAN 2013 

GOING: SOFT (Good to soft in places) (Frost covers being deployed Saturday over whole course). (Partly cloudy)
12:40

ROSLING KING LLP NOVICES´ HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 3) (5yo+ 0-125) 15 runners 2m3fSoft ATR

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 174-43   Achimota 35 7   Matt Sheppard   122 110 125
2 8-5U21   Arbeo 21  7   Diana Grissell   110 87 122
3 86-136   Balbriggan 31 6   Mick Channon   114 109 124
4 7-4316   Fairy Rath 43 7   Nick Gifford   115 101 122
5 10/F42   Heez A Cracker 22  7   Tom George   125 125 133
6 208-0F   Kings Lodge 35  7   Nicky Henderson   120 -1 125
7 43PP1   Lough Coi 15 7   Anthony Middleton   99 96 112
8 38346P   Mickelson 31 7   Jonjo O´Neill   120 94 125
9 441-P5   Miss Tenacious 81 6   Ron Hodges   110 79 104
10 33-284   Oscar Davy 21 7   Philip Hobbs   115 52 85
11 238/61   Representingceltic 48 8   Pat Phelan   105 69 115
12 720P1P   Samenerve 49  6   Nigel Twiston-Davies   110 100 118
13 2116/9   Sir Frank 35 8   David Pipe   118 61 87
14 P-F74P   Sir Kezbaah 49  9   Jeremy Scott   124 98 113
15 1P-251   Sustainability 31  8   Venetia Williams   120 112 126

 

1:15

TRISOFT JUVENILE HURDLE (CLASS 3) (4yo) 11 runners 2m Soft ATR

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 814   Captain Cardington 23  4   Sheena West   122 101 110
2 332   Docs Legacy 18  4   Richard Fahey   123 95 113
3     Double Cee 99F 4   Warren Greatrex   — — —
4     Good Of Luck 151F 4   Mick Channon   — — —
5 1   Hidden Justice 23  4   John Quinn   — 80 125
6     Leo Luna 176F 4   Gary Moore   — — —
7 6   Rayadour 70  4   Alan King   — 35 69
8 1   Rolling Star 86 4   Nicky Henderson   — -1 —
9 21-12   Sametegal 35  4   Paul Nicholls   138 112 130
10 2   Sash Of Honour 21 4   Tim Vaughan   — 85 112
11     Seventh Sign 87F 4   Alan King   — — —

 

1:50

1942 WAS A VINTAGE YEAR MARES´ HURDLE (REGISTERED AS THE WARFIELD MARES´ HURDLE) GRADE 2 (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 12 runners 3m Soft CH4

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 239-45   Baby Shine 54  7   Lucy Wadham   130 97 129
2 3-223F   Golden Sparkle 8 7   Ian Duncan   100 65 99
3 122-13   Kentford Grey Lady 14  7   Emma Lavelle   139 87 140
4 4218F6   Mavalenta 47 6   Nigel Twiston-Davies   122 109 122
5 4-4124   Miss Milborne 23  7   Jamie Snowden   135 111 134
6 2U-11   My Legal Lady 116 8   Stuart Howe   112 103 112
7 3-3032   Silver Gypsy 23 8   Donald McCain   134 114 131
8 92-753   Swincombe Flame 23  7   Nick Williams   131 120 135
9 80511   Tweedledrum 23  6   Tom Symonds   115 86 115
10 532141   Utopie Des Bordes 76 5   Nicky Henderson   — -1 88
11 912FF1   Valmari 10 10   Tom Symonds   — 107 111
12 310-73   Violin Davis 18  7   Harry Fry   133 89 126

 

2:25

KELTBRAY HOLLOWAY´S HURDLE (LIMITED HANDICAP) GRADE 2 (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 24 runners2m3f110y Soft CH4

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 7/14-7   Any Given Day 21  8   Donald McCain   155 122 142
2 FU-310   Balder Succes 28  5   Alan King   145 124 143
3 1231-   Barbatos 384  7   Ian Williams   142 — —
4 06-891   Bourne 23  7   Donald McCain   140 129 139
5 32F144   Double Ross 28 7   Nigel Twiston-Davies   141 139 145
6 909125   Duaiseoir 14  7   Venetia Williams   122 112 124
7 21822   El Dancer 21 9   Lucy Wadham   138 118 137
8 134-4   Hit The Headlines 22 7   C F Swan   — 120 133
9 311111   Home Run 18  5   David Pipe   124 106 122
10 40-442   Ingleby Spirit 18 6   Richard Fahey   132 135 136
11 3411   Lord Of House 14 5   Charlie Mann   133 81 131
12 217-10   Lyvius 28 5   Nicky Henderson   133 99 137
13 1128-   Peddlers Cross 310  8   Donald McCain   165 -1 —
14 9-5112   Petit Robin 28  10   Nicky Henderson   159 139 160
15 114-2   Prima Porta 70  7   Evan Williams   122 104 121
16 22211U   Quaddick Lake 24  10   Jeremy Scott   128 107 128
17 01-122   Raya Star 24  7   Alan King   159 151 156
18 5-9183   Sands Cove 18 6   C F Swan   — 102 122
19 89/U-P   Sentry Duty 98F  11   Nicky Henderson   140 -1 —
20 61/1-0   Snap Tie 62 11   Philip Hobbs   150 144 155
21 65-9F4   The Pier 10 7   David Pipe   122 103 126
22 51-032   Top Wood 28 6   David Pipe   127 110 125
23 5-11   Un Bon P´Tit Gars 93 5   Nick Williams   129 112 120
24 35-621   Zarzal 54 5   Evan Williams   127 107 126

 

3:00

BETVICTOR.COM HANDICAP CHASE (CLASS 2) (5yo+) 23 runners 2m5f110y Soft CH4

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 10-511   Bless The Wings 50  8   Alan King Wayne Hutchinson 150 119 154
2 5F3561   Buck Mulligan 67  8   Evan Williams   132 113 137
3 1334-2   Cappa Bleu 68 11   Evan Williams   146 147 151
4 P-4P61   Carrickboy 14 9   Venetia Williams   136 118 136
5 412-0F   Chance Du Roy 42 9   Philip Hobbs   150 149 155
6 P-2211   Changing Times 37 7   Nigel Twiston-Davies   140 134 145
7 047-06   Divers 35 9   Ferdy Murphy   135 135 145
8 111-26   Doeslessthanme 42 9   Paul Nicholls   149 118 152
9 231-21   Easter Meteor 35 7   Emma Lavelle   142 135 147
10 3633P   Finger Onthe Pulse 63  12   Jonjo O´Neill   135 136 142
11 03-521   Frontier Spirit 24  9   Nigel Twiston-Davies   135 113 137
12 R16-65   Master Of The Hall 28  9   Nicky Henderson   149 107 158
13 17-13U   Nadiya De La Vega 35 7   Nicky Henderson   145 144 150
14 11133-   Our Mick 312 7   Donald McCain   145 135 153
15 114-35   Pepite Rose 56 6   Venetia Williams   144 139 150
16 175-P8   Quantitativeeasing 35  8   Nicky Henderson   150 132 146
17 87-1U3   Roberto Goldback 28  11   Nicky Henderson   157 123 162
18 153F12   Shoegazer 14  8   David Pipe   144 135 146
19 21-534   Siberian Tiger 33  8   Evan Williams   127 86 120
20 715U-6   Tatenen 35  9   Richard Rowe   144 112 150
21 PP-U23   Tullamore Dew 14  11   Nick Gifford   133 129 138
22 442F2   Vino Griego 13  8   Gary Moore   128 112 131
23 144U7-   Zaynar 310  8   David Pipe   146 137 152

 

3:35

VICTOR CHANDLER CHASE (REGISTERED AS THE CLARENCE HOUSE CHASE) GRADE 1 (CLASS 1) (5yo+) 13 runners 2m1f Soft CH4

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 415523   His Excellency 23  5 11-4 David Pipe45   151 124 159
2 401456   Idarah 14  10 11-7 Venetia Williams61   145 127 153
3 627FP   Kinkeel 11  14 11-7 Tony Carroll29   69 29 81
4 2F122   Kumbeshwar 23  6 11-7 Alan King73 Wayne Hutchinson 150 147 168
5 1-R304   Mad Moose 35 9 11-7 Nigel Twiston-Davies41   138 138 147
6 111-31   Sanctuaire 23  7 11-7 Paul Nicholls71   167 157 180
7 24172-   Somersby 266  9 11-7 Mick Channon   165 150 176
8 1111-1   Sprinter Sacre 42  7 11-7 Nicky Henderson64   179 172 187
9 25-214   Wishfull Thinking 23 10 11-7 Philip Hobbs64   162 136 172

 

4:10

BRITISH STALLION STUDS E B F “NATIONAL HUNT” NOVICES´ HURDLE (QUALIFIER) (CLASS 3) (4-7yo) 30 runners 2m6f Soft ATR

 
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER RTF% JOCKEY OR TS RPR
1 2   Abbey Court 62P 5   Nicky Henderson   — — —
2 25-26   Alpancho 78 7   Anthony Honeyball Aidan Coleman — -1 121
3 1-58   Atriptomilan 7 5   Jonjo O´Neill   — 88 103
4 P-F24   Ballymacahillcross 40 5   Evan Williams   — 80 104
5 433-4   Bamboleo 18 6   David Pipe   — 77 98
6 1/2-21   Barrakilla 69 6   Evan Williams   119 88 119
7 11-8   Comeonginger 83  6   Paul Nicholls   — 24 93
8 461-2   Copper Birch 69 5   Evan Williams   — 99 123
9 1-31   Dreams Of Milan 51 5   Donald McCain   — 26 109
10 45-214   Dunlough Bay 43 7   Paul Webber   122 67 120
11 5-6211   Farmer Matt 29  7   Fergal O´Brien   117 93 114
12 1/P-P   Firey King 93 6   Emma Lavelle   — -1 —
13 306-64   General Ross 14 6   Tom Symonds   — 34 89
14 5-U142   Greenlaw 54 7   Charlie Longsdon   120 84 122
15 311-4   In The Binyanis 255 6   Jonjo O´Neill   — 39 100
16 P25-3   Jimmy The Hat 45 7   Nigel Twiston-Davies   — 94 112
17 2311   Kilmurvy 20 5   Jeremy Scott   — 106 123
18 12   Kings Palace 29  5   David Pipe   — -1 —
19 1-44   Letsby Avenue 29 5   Alan King   118 60 112
20 3-6   Marmalade Man 29 7   Seamus Mullins   — -1 —
21 31-35   Mcllhatton 57 5   Paul Nicholls   — 48 102
22 333-   Off The Wall 329 6   David Pipe   — -1 —
23 38-4   Regal Presence 74 6   Victor Dartnall   — 85 104
24 391812   Return Spring 45  6   Philip Hobbs   132 106 126
25 F0-23   Stony Road 19 6   John Flint   — -1 —
26 1-5   Titchwood 41  5   Jonjo O´Neill   — 99 101
27 231   Uxizandre 31 5   Alan King   126 114 131
28 2   Viva Steve 61 5   Mick Channon   — -1 —
29 1-1   Whisper 24 5   Nicky Henderson   — -1 120
30 21-321   Witness In Court 39  6   Donald McCain   130 93 134

 

fonte: RacingPost