Top Notch favourite for Ascot Chase at 2/1; Waiting Patiently 5/2

Seven runners involved in quality contest

Saturday’s Ascot Chase may not have the biggest field, but it does have one of great quality. Right now, it’s Top Notch who is narrow favourite for glory in Berkshire at 2/1.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old charge is looking for a third race win on the trot, following victories at both Ascot and Taunton in the latter stages of 2017.

He’ll face a tough challenge, though. Waiting Patiently is 5/2 to win the Chase, following six wins in a row. However, the seven-year-old has only raced twice in the past year.

J.P. McManus’ Coney Island is next up at 3/1. There’s then a sizeable game to Frodon (13/2) and Cue Card (7/1).

And Coral traders reckon there’s little chance of an upset from Spederek and Traffic Fluide, at 16/1 and 33/1 respectively.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “What the Ascot Chase may lack in quantity it more than makes up for in quality at this stage, with Top Notch heading the betting on the back of two Grade Two wins this season.”

** Betfair Ascot Chase

2/1 Top Notch, 5/2 Waiting Patiently, 3/1 Coney Island, 13/2 Frodon, 7/1 Cue Card, 16/1 Speredek, 33/1 Traffic Fluide

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing