Ascot Christmas Meeting Tips
Ascot Christmas Racing Festival Odds
With only weeks remaining on the 2023 UK horse racing calendar, we're heading to Ascot for a weekend full of top-class contests.
National hunt racings finest will be on show with Group One glory up for grabs, and many of the top trainers from across the country have highlighted this meeting as a priority in their build-up to the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. After bad weather last year called the festival off, many horse racing fans will be hoping that the 2023 rendition of the Howden Christmas Racing weekend is just the start of their festive season.
Here at Bet UK, we have all of the top online betting odds for the entire race card at Ascot and all of the leading betting markets including, win and each way on the Long Walk Hurdle - the feature race of the meeting.
2023 Ascot Christmas Racing Festival Tips
As it stands, we currently don't have betting odds for the Ascot Christmas Racing Festival, with the festival beginning on Friday 22nd December, you can expect to see tips after the racecards are confirmed on Wednesday 20th December.
As an alternative, check out some of our other options at Ascot Racecourse.
About the Long Walk Hurdle
Named after The Long Walk, an avenue in Windsor Great Park, this grade one race has been held annually at Ascot since 1965. With notable winners including Big Bucks, Sam Spinner, and Paisley Park, this three-mile hurdle race is normally viewed as a telling point as to which hurdlers will perform well at Cheltenham later in the season.
The 2024 renewal sees eleven runners set to head to post, with Paisley Park and last year's runner up Thyme Hill both expected to feature.
Howden Christmas Racing Weekend Racecards
Other than seeing Father Christmas and getting into the Christmas spirit with a unique family theme park and candle lit carol singing, there is an action packed racing weekend at Ascot over the Christmas period. Check out the racecards for the event below.
Friday Racecard
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 12:45 | Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle |
| 13:20 | Howden Maiden Hurdle |
| 13:55 | Howden Novices' Handicap Chase |
| 14:30 | Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle |
| 15:05 | Noel Novices' Chase |
| 15:40 | National Hunt Flat Race |
Saturday Racecard
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 12:45 | Spa Novices' Handicap Hurdle |
| 13:25 | Howden Graduation Chase |
| 13:55 | Howden Handicap Chase |
| 14:30 | Howden Long Walk Hurdle |
| 15:05 | Silver Cup Handicap Chase |
| 15:40 | Exchange Trophy |
More from Ascot
Ascot Chase Raceday Betting Tips
Ascot Chase Betting Tips
In the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, one of the key races where we'll see top festival horses is the Ascot Chase. Contested annually at the royal course in Berkshire, it's normally one of the final preparation races for runners looking to head to the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
The uk horse racing betting markets for this race are packed full of top-class runners, and here at Bet UK, we've looked at today's horse racing betting odds to make our selections and top online horse betting tips.
Our 2023 Ascot Chase Day Betting Tips
Nap Of the Day
Fiddlerontheroof - 2:25 Ascot (Swinley Chase)
The first selection in our UK horse racing betting tips is Colin Tizzard-trained Fiddlerontheroof. A 9/4 chance in the UK horse racing betting online markets for this three-mile race, he was second last time out at Newbury in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. He also finished a valiant second behind Monkfish at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. His last victory came over a shorter distance, but given he has experience over this distance, we think he'll perform well here.
Result: 2nd - Vet said gelding lost its left hind shoe, a small error which could have led to the horse not meeting expectations on the day.
Dark Horse of the Day
First Flow - 3:35 (Ascot Chase)
When looking at the betting odds for the 2023 Ascot Chase, there isn't one horse that stands out. Shishkin is one of the favourites but after two bad defeats and Wind Surgery, who knows how he'll ride. Millers Bank has also recently undergone surgery, so we can't say for sure how the horse will perform. Aye Right is without a win in almost two years, so that leaves Pic D'Orhy, Fakir D'Oudairies and First Flow. The latter has recently lost to Pic D'Orhy but stuck around with one of the favourites to warrant a better price than 20/1.
As a horse with a good record at Ascot, First Flow could well be the dark horse here.
Result: UR - It was looking so good for First Flow as the horse started fantastically sitting in second before a mistake saw Jockey David Bass unseated. A harsh result for our Dark Horse of the Day.
Longshot of the Day
Bean In Trouble - 4:10 Ascot
Our longshot of the day in the horse racing betting online markets at Ascot is Bean In Trouble. A 9/1 chance for this race, he's featured strongly for Jonjo O'Neill even though he's been high up the weights, but we feel he'll appreciate softer ground this time rather than heavy, which could help his cause on a tricky Ascot track.
Result: 3rd - Bean In Trouble wasn't in contention to win the race due to Guillemot's excellent performance but the horse did come in third place, meaning a solid win for those that backed the horse each way.
About The Ascot Chase
Raced annually as Ascot, the Ascot Chase is a Grade One race open to horses aged five years and older. Run over two miles and five furlongs and will take in seventeen fences of the Ascot course and the famous Swinley bottom turn. First run in 1995, it has since become a crucial race when selecting runners who may head to Cheltenham and feature in the festival.
In regards to online betting, this is one of the races where the favourite tends to prevail at Ascot racecourse, in the last 10 years, five favourites have won this race and out of the other horses, the highest odds of the winner has sat at 4/1, this was when Dashel Drasher won in 2021 and Balder Succes won in 2015. If the favourite has finished the race, in the last 20 years, they haven't finished any lower than 5th and there hasn't been a winner over 14/1 in that time. So, if you're looking to bet on the Ascot Chase, which is arguably one of the most important jumps fixtures when it comes to the lead up to major races such as the King George VI Chase and the Ryanair Chase, the Ascot Chase is one to keep your eye on.
Ascot Chase Past Winners
Year | Horse | Winning Trainer |
--- | --- | --- | 2023 | Shishkin | Nicky Henderson 2022 | Fakir D'oudairies | Joseph O'Brien 2021 | Dashel Drasher | Jeremy Scott | 2020 | Riders On the Storm| Nigel Twiston-Davies | 2019 | Cyrmane | Paul Nicholls | 2018 | Waiting Patiently | Ruth Jefferson | 2017 | Cue Card | Colin Tizzard | 2016 | Silviniaco Conti | Paul Nicholls | 2015 | Balder Success | Alan King | 2014 | Captain Chris | Philip Hobbs | 2013 | Cue Card | Colin Tizzard | 2012 | Riverside Theatre | Nicky Henderson |
Ascot Chase Winning Trainer Stats
| Trainer | R-W-P |
|---|---|
| Paul Nicholls | 22-3-7 |
| Nicky Henderson | 14-3-5 |
| Alan King | 6-2-3 |
| Nicky Richards | 3-2-3 |
| Philip Hobbs | 7-1-3 |
If you're looking for a specific person to back, trainer Nicky Henderson looks to be a fantastic shout in general when it comes to this race, be sure to check up on the horse before you bet however, Henderson won't send a horse to this race for the sake of it but that doesn't mean it'll be a horse that you would expect to win the Ascot Chase.
Ascot Chase Betting Stats
When looking at the Ascot Chase, some betting trends of the last renewals stand out, one of which is 71% of runners and winners fell under odds of 10/1 or shorter and 73% of runners placed within their last two starts. It's also worth noting that 89% of runners trained in England when they last won, which is only proven by the lack of Irish trainers on the winning list.
*All odds from Bet UK’s betting markets correct at the time of writing.
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King George Weekend Betting Tips
King George Weekend Tips
After the excitement of Newmarket, we're heading back to Ascot for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. A key part of the British Champions Series, it's the premier mile and half race of the season, with many a Royal Ascot winner choosing to make this meeting their next destination before the Ebor Festival at York.
As we take a look at the key runners and riders on the card, our tipster at Bet UK will be on hand to provide you with top Ascot horse racing betting tips and insight for all the Group 1 races and handicaps so you'll always be in the know.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the feature race this weekend. The Group One contest often sees the best three-year-olds take on the leading older horses in the division in a clash of generations.
This Saturday’s contest at Ascot looks set to be a thrilling renewal. Here is a look at the race and some of the other highlights on the card.
2024 King George Weekend Betting Tips
We currently do not have King George Weekend tips live on-site for the 2024 event. Alternatively, check out some of the options available below.
King George Weekend Racecards
Looking for the racecards ahead of the King George Weekend at Ascot? Check out the racecards below with the winners of last years event attached.
King George Weekend - Friday Racecard
| Time | Race | 2023 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 13:50 | Fillies' Novice Stakes | Panarea |
| 14:25 | Racing Brown Jack Handicap | Blazeon Five |
| 15:00 | Chapel Down Handicap | Pearle D'Or |
| 15:35 | John Guest Racing Handicap | City Streak |
| 16:10 | Slingsby Gin Handicap | Alhambra Palace |
| 16:45 | October Fillies' Handicap | Woolhampton |
King George Weekend - Saturday Racecard
| Time | Race | 2023 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 13:15 | Maiden Stakes | Indian Run |
| 13:50 | Princess Margaret Stakes | Sacred Angel |
| 14:25 | Valiant Stakes | Random Harvest |
| 15:00 | International Stakes | Baradar |
| 15:40 | King George VI Stakes | Hukum |
| 16:15 | Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes | Rosallion |
| 16:50 | Betfred Handicap | Ghaly |
| 17:25 | Whispering Angel Handicap | Intrinsic Bond |
About the King George Weekend and King George VI Stakes
Behind Royal Ascot, the King George weekend is without a doubt the most important and historic meeting in the Ascot racing calendar. The first day of racing offers a fantastic show; however, it is the final day that hosts the most prestigious prizes with the likes of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco stakes taking centre stage.
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes is a prestigious horse race held annually at Ascot Racecourse in England. It is one of the most important and iconic flat races in the British horse racing calendar. The race was first run in 1951, taking its name from the reigning monarch, King George VI, and his consort, Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes is typically held in late July and is open to horses aged three years and older. It covers a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 meters). The race attracts some of the best middle-distance horses from around the world and is known for its competitive field and high-class participants.
The reason the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes has such a long name is because we used to see two separate races with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and King George VI stakes and now the two races have merged into one during the Qipco King George Weekend.
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