Not just a number: why an unusually big Ascot Chase field makes for a tight race
Saturday: 3.38 Ascot
Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) | 2m5f | 5yo+ | ITV/Sky
It is six years since the Ascot Chase produced as many as this year's eight runners and there is a temptation to link that with the competitiveness of the race. Post-declarations, favourite Fakir D'Oudairies was priced at 11-4 and not since 2005 has the favourite been returned at such lengthy odds.
History does not really back up the connection. Silviniaco Conti was 2-1 when beating seven rivals in 2016, but two years earlier Captain Chris was odds-on in a field of eight and the last nine-runner Ascot Chase was won by the 4-11 favourite, one Kauto Star.
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