Horse racing LIVE: Race results from Ascot and Haydock

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Racing from Ascot (PA)

The Ascot Chase Raceday is a popular fixture in the sporting calendar, although no fans will descend to watch the Jump action on Saturday afternoon. The course traditionally increases the excitement of horse racing fans eagerly waiting for Cheltenham Festival, and there is plenty to get excited for as racing returns to Ascot.

The Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase has a number of star attractions on offer to match the prestige of the event to promise a competitive day. Previous winners include One Man, Monet’s Garden, Kauto Star, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Paul Nicholls’ star Cyrname. Cyrname, who dominated a high-class field with a 17-length victory in 2019, is among five declared for this year’s race including defending champion Riders Onthe Storm.

The card also boasts the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, deemed an important stepping stone to Cheltenham’s Grade 1 three-mile novice Chase, and it’s a race which has been won by many prestigious horses over the years.

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Ascot card

• 13:15 - Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) 6 Runners, Class 2
• 13:50 - Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) 6 Runners, Class 1
• 14:25 - 'My Oddsboost' On Betfair Swinley Chase (Listed Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) 10 Runners, Class 1
• 15:00 - Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) 15 Runners, Class 2
• 15:35 - Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 5 Runners, Class 1
• 16:10 - Ascot Racecourse Supports Berkshire Vision Handicap Hurdle, 15 Runners, Class 3
• 16:45 - Dingley's Promise British EBF Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race) 8 Runners, Class 4

[20 February 2021 14:35 · Johnny Ward]

Result: 2.25 Ascot

1. Captain Chaos

2. Regal Encore

3. Musical Slave

10 ran.

What a race! Captain Chaos and Cobolobo slugged it out the whole way, with favourite Jerrysback making a terrible mistake early and never really getting into it. Harry Skelton kicked for home on the winner, but Regal Encore closed the gap gradually, the line just coming in time for the 10-1 winner!

[20 February 2021 14:25 · Johnny Ward]

We just had a cracking stayers’ contest at Haydock. Hughie Morrison’s Third Wind beat Lisnagar Oscar and the game On The Blind Site. They’re about to jump in the 1.25 at Ascot, with Jerrysback hot favourite.

[20 February 2021 14:21 · Johnny Ward]

What a day’s racing

We may be less than a month away from the Cheltenham Festival, but this weekend brings a stellar card of Jumps racing from Ascot.

The headline act on the card is Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase, where previous winnerCyrname will be looking to regain his crown against rivals including stablemate Master Tommytucker.

Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old became the highest-rated chaser in Britain thanks to his 17-length demolition in the Grade One contest in 2019, a position he consolidated when he got the better of Altior in a much-anticipated clash over the same course and distance early last season.

However, he subsequently failed to fire when hot favourite for the King George VI Chase at Kempton, and was already on the retreat when suffering a heavy fall at the final fence in defence of his Ascot Chase crown 12 months ago.

Elsewhere on the card, there’s also what looks like a wide open renewal of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, plus a high-class novice hurdle to kick things off, which could have implications for the Cheltenham Festival. It’s a hell of a day’s racing and we are back for more with Newbury tomorrow.

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Sevarano had a heart attack and had to be put down. Very sad news for the Oliver Sherwood yard. A really talented horse.

Result: 1.50 Ascot

1. Remastered 9-2

2. Demachine

6 ran.

With Sevarano pulled up, this race fell apart a bit, but Remastered continued David Pipe’s fine form. He made all, jumping boldly. An early mistake harmed Demachine’s prospects but he ran a blinder.

It’s tight at the head if the market, with Demachine marginal favourite over Sevarano.

Speaking on ITV ahead of the 1.50 at Ascot, Full Back's rider Joshua Moore said: "Hopefully a good weekend (for the family). He's been progressive this year. I really like the way he won last time. He's up to running a big race."

Over at Wincanton, punters are showing remarkable faith in Hell Red and Bryony Frost. Despite bombing last time, and having had a wind op since, with the addition of a tongue tie today, he’s being backed into 1.36 in the delayed 1.38.

Result: 1.15 Ascot

1. Midnight River 5-4 Fav

2 Gallyhill 13-8

6 ran.

Fascinating betting and actual race this, with Midnight River hammered on the exchanges and going off favourite, but Gallyhill met traffic before two out (due to the clever riding of Harry Skelton on the winner) and shaped really well all told. They pulled miles clear.

Racing’s leading ladies

One of racing’s most formidable women, Hollie Doyle, has just struck for Willie Mullins, winning a huge pot in Riyadh aboard True Self, who was bought for small money after winning a bumper. However, one of racing’s most formidable women, Bryony Frost, was touched off in the first at Wincanton on the first of the hotpots of the day. The second, Gallyhill, is odds-against on Betfair in Ascot’s opener. They’re down at the start.

Gallyhill is hovering around evens on Betfair for the opener at Ascot at 1.05. He’s a really fine looking horse, bigger than second-favourite Midnight River.

Fourteen for Nicholls

PF Nicholls has just the 14 runners across the cards today, with the favourite and second-favourite, both a little weak in the wagering, in the feature at Ascot. Pozo Emery, 1.5 on Betfair, is the first of them (1.05 Wincanton) under the in-form Bryony Frost.

[20 February 2021 12:55 · Lawrence Ostlere]

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