The Victor Chandler Chase . A Grade one race over 2 miles and 1 furlong at Ascot.
Although this race actually had a dreadful start when the first two races in 1987 and 1988 were abandoned because of poor weather (Frost and fog) the first time is was run in 1989 was one of the best races I have ever seen. Then a handicap run over a slightly shorter distance of 2 miles saw Desert Orchid the bold front running grey taking on the very smart Panto Prince and giving him a stone and 8 pounds, over a distance that was shorter than ideal for Dessie and getting the better of Panto Prince holding on to win by a head..
The race was changed from a handicap and up-rated to Grade 1 status and a further furlong added to the distance in 2007.
Run 6/7 weeks and at a similar distance to races at the Cheltenham festival this race is often seen as a good pointer for the festival
| 1 | 74-F231 | Cornas (NZ) 37 | 8 | 11-7 | Nick Williams | D Jacob |
| 2 | 111-21F | Fix The Rib (IRE) 27 | 7 | 11-7 | G L Moore | |
| 3 | 6P3841 | Kinkeel (IRE) 4 | 11 | 11-7 | A W Carroll | E Dehdashti |
| 4 | 136244/ | Lennon (IRE) 637 | 10 | 11-7 | J Howard Johnson | Denis O'regan |
| 5 | 3F211-5 | Oh Crick (FR) 81 | 7 | 11-7 | A King | W Hutchinson |
| 6 | 12237-1 | Petit Robin (FR) 27 | 7 | 11-7 | N J Henderson | A P McCoy |
| 7 | F6F1-31 | Twist Magic (FR) 49 | 8 | 11-7 | P F Nicholls | R Walsh |
| 8 | F3/2-132 | Well Chief (GER) 27 | 11 | 11-7 | D Pipe | T J Murphy |
Comas.
Comes here on the back of a win just before Christmas in a chase over a similar distance. He looked good that day beating his opponents by 13 lengths. However the time of the race was slow because of the soft ground. He was beaten by Fix The Rib on this course in November giving away 4 pounds and I can't see why he should be able to turn the tables today.
Fix The Rib
Front runner who fell when weakening in the Desert Orchid chase ay Kempton on the 27th of December (a race won by Petit Robin). Much better form before that winning 5 from 6 races with 1 second and good bold front running style. If he is allowed to dictate the race he should run well.
Kinkeel
Won last time out but has only ever won three small events and looks completely out of his depth.
Lennon
Good horse who looked to show lots of promise early in his career. Has not quite made up to this class and is well exposed. Would be a surprise winner.
Oh Crick
Good consistent horse who ran up a good sequence of running's towards the end of last season winning at the Festival and Aintree. Disappointing on his reappearance when 5th in a grade 2 at Exeter with Cornas and Twist magic ahead of him. Disregard this race and he looks the best of the outsiders here today.
Petit Robin
Top class horse from an in form stable. A winner of 5 from his 10 starts and only out of the frame twice. Beat Well chief and Fix The Rib at Kempton over Christmas getting 2 pounds from Well Chief (2nd). Good Chance.
Twist Magic
Beat Well Chief by 24 lengths off level weights last time out, shows that the horse has class. But he can make jumping mistakes and can sometimes run below par. Can jump really well but also can hit a fence or two. A likely favorite who if on song will take some beating.
Well Chief
Class horse, well exposed and a chaser that is rarely out of the frame. 2nd to petit Robin in the Desert Orchid chase at Kempton giving the winner 2 pounds. A long way behind Twist Magic at even weights when 3rd earlier that month. A past winner of the Arkle and runner up in last seasons Champion Chase he certainly has the class to win this race. Lightly raced for an 11 year old due to injuries and he missed the whole of 2006 and 2008.
The Selection is Well Chief
Best Outsider Oh Crick
| 1st | Twist Magic (FR) 11/8F | 11-7 | P F Nicholls | R Walsh |
| 2nd | Petit Robin (FR) 15/8 | 11-7 | N J Henderson | A P McCoy |
| 3rd | Oh Crick (FR) 16/1 | 11-7 | A King | Wayne Hutchinson |
| 4 | Well Chief (GER) 6/1 | 11-7 | D E Pipe | Timmy Murphy |
| 5 | Cornas (NZ) 7/1 | 11-7 | Nick Williams | Daryl Jacob |
| 6 | Lennon (IRE) 40/1 | 11-7 | J Howard Johnson | Denis O'Regan |
| 7 | Kinkeel (IRE) 200/1 | 11-7 | A W Carroll | Eamon Dehdashti |
Past Winners
| 2009 | Master Minded | 6 | 11-7 | Ruby Walsh | Paul Nicholls |
| 2008 | Tamarinbleu | 8 | 11-7 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 2007 | no race 2007 [7] | ||||
| 2006 | Tysou [6] | 9 | 11-02 | Mick Fitzgerald | Nicky Henderson |
| 2005 | Well Chief [5] | 6 | 11-10 | Timmy Murphy | Martin Pipe |
| 2004 | Isio | 8 | 10-5 | Mick Fitzgerald | Nicky Henderson |
| 2003 | no race 2003 [4] | ||||
| 2002 | Turgeonev | 7 | 10-4 | Richard McGrath | Tim Easterby |
| 2001 | Function Dream | 9 | 10-11 | Anthony Ross | Mary Reveley |
| 2000 | Nordance Prince | 9 | 10-00 | Tony McCoy | Venetia Williams |
| 1999 | Call Equiname [3] | 9 | 11-3 | Robert Thornton | Paul Nicholls |
| 1998 | Jeffell | 8 | 10-11 | Conor O'Dwyer | Arthur Moore |
| 1997 | Ask Tom [3] | 8 | 10-10 | Russ Garritty | Tom Tate |
| 1996 | Big Matt | 8 | 10-4 | Mick Fitzgerald | Nicky Henderson |
| 1995 | Martha's Son | 8 | 10-9 | Rodney Farrant | Tim Forster |
| 1994 | Viking Flagship [2] | 7 | 10-10 | Richard Dunwoody | David Nicholson |
| 1993 | Sybillin | 7 | 10-10 | Mark Dwyer | Jimmy FitzGerald |
| 1992 | Waterloo Boy | 9 | 11-10 | Richard Dunwoody | David Nicholson |
| 1991 | Blitzkreig | 8 | 10-4 | Tommy Carmody | Edward O'Grady |
| 1990 | Meikleour | 11 | 10-00 | Derek Byrne | Jimmy FitzGerald |
| 1989 | Desert Orchid | 10 | 12-00 | Simon Sherwood | David Elsworth |
