2022 Ascot Chase on Saturday: the runners, the odds, the verdict

The Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase (3.38) is the highlight of a busy day of action across Britain and Ireland on Saturday. The eight-runner field has a hugely competitive feel to it with the likes of Fakir D'Oudairies, Saint Calvados, Mister Fisher, Fanion D'Estruval and last year's victor Dashel Drasher all holding leading claims.

3.38 Ascot Saturday: Betfair Ascot Chase racecard and betting

1 Dashel Drasher

Record of 4-5 at this venue, including a success in this race 12 months ago; respected

Trainer: Jeremy Scott
Jockey: Rex Dingle
Odds: 11-2

2 Fakir D'Oudairies

Grade 1 winner at Aintree last April; can make mistakes but otherwise has leading claims

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Odds: 11-4

3 Fanion D'Estruval

Very good second in course-and-distance handicap last time; better than ever; may well improve further

Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Odds: 9-2

4 Lostintranslation

Inconsistent in recent times but showed some of his old spark in Grade 2 here in November

Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Odds: 10-1

5 Mister Fisher

Grade 2 scorer at Kempton five weeks ago; that form was franked last Saturday

Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: James Bowen
Odds: 5-1

6 Saint Calvados

Interesting back down in trip on second run for new stable; went close in the 2020 Ryanair

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Odds: 4-1

7 Two For Gold

Narrowly beat Dashel Drasher at Lingfield last time; now 6lb worse off with that rival

Trainer: Kim Bailey
Jockey: David Bass
Odds: 25-1

8 Waiting Patiently

Won this race in 2018 for Ruth Jefferson; pulled up in Betfair Chase on debut for new yard

Trainer: Christian Williams
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Odds: 25-1

The verdict

Preference is for Fanion D'Estruval, who has strong credentials. Saint Calvados is second choice, ahead of Fakir D'Oudairies.

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