The Classic Chase is a 3m5f gruelling Grade 3 handicap that is run at Warwick racecourse every season in January and provides punters with another chance to see some potential Aintree Grand National hopefuls on show.
In 2017 the Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur won the Classic Chase before going onto land the Grand National at Aintree in April. 12 months ago in 2020 the JP McManus-owned Kimberlite Candy won the race at odds of 9/2.
Did you know that ALL of the last 15 Classic Chase winners have raced in the last 6 weeks.
Here at Racing Ahead we take a look back at recent winners of the Classic Chase and give you the key betting trends, plus our free horse racing tip in the Classic Chase, this year in 2021 set to be run on Saturday 16th January.
Recent Classic Chase Winners
2020 – KIMBERLITE CANDY (9/2)
2019 – IMPULSIVE STAR (8/1)
2018 – MILANSBAR (12/1)
2017 – ONE FOR ARTHUR (14/1)
2016 – RUSSE BLANC (20/1)
2015 – HAWKES POINT (15/2)
2014 – SHOTGUN PADDY (9/1)
2013 – RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (5/1)
2012 – HEY BIG SPENDER (14/1)
2011 – WEST END ROCKER (10/1)
2010 – No Race
2009 – No Race
2008 – D'ARGENT (18/1)
2007 – LADALKO (9/2 fav)
2006 – EUROTREK (6/1)
2005 – BARON WINDRUSH (11/1)
2004 – SOUTHERN STAR (15/2)
Classic Chase Betting Trends and Stats
15/15 – Raced within the last 6 weeks
14/15 – Raced within the last 5 weeks
13/15 – Had won a chase race over at least 3m
11/15 – Carried 11-2 or less in weight
11/15 – Winners that came from outside the top 3 in the betting market
11/15 – Officially rated between 129-140
11/15 – Aged between 7-9 years-old
10/15 – Won by an Irish bred horse
9/15 – Won between 2-5 times over fences before
9/15 – Won by a horse aged 9 or older
9/15 – Winning distance – 4 lengths or less
9/15 – Placed in the top 3 in their last race
8/15 – Had raced at Warwick (hurdles, chase, NH Flat) previously
7/15 – Returned a double-figure price
7/15 – Favourites placed
6/15 – Had run at either Cheltenham (3) or Newbury (3) in their last race
5/15 – Winners that went onto run in that season's Grand National (One For Arthur won both races in 2017)
3/15 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
3/15 – Won their last race
2/15 – Trained by Alan King
Just one winning favourite in the last 15 runnings
The average winning SP in the last 15 runnings is 10/1
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: Another competitive renewal of the Classic Chase. It's another race the Alan King yard seem to have a decent chance in with their recent winner – Notachance. This 7 year-old gets in here with just 10-5 in weight and with just five career runs over fences should have more to come. He's 7lbs higher for that run though and despite looking to have a big chance, I'm not sure he's great value. Storm Control has won his last two and is certainly going the right way, but is up another 5lbs here and even though the Kerry Lee yard won this in 2016, their overall record at the track (fences) is poor – 1 from 23 (4%). Course winner Le Breuil and the 2019 Grand National fourth – Walk In The Mill – will have their supporters too, but the two interesting ones for me are CAPTAIN CHAOS and DJANGO DJANGO (e/w). The first-named is on a bit of a recovery mission after some poor runs this season but as a result has dropped down the ratings. He was also runner-up in this race 12 months ago off just 2lbs lower, but crucially with topweight Ballyoptic in the race this year, he gets in with only 10st 2lbs in actual racing weight – that's 10lbs less than last year! The Dan Skelton yard also have a decent 30% record with their chasers at Warwick and jockey Harry Skelton boasts a 32% strike-rate over fences here. The other pick – Django Django – hails from the Jonjo O'Neill yard that also do well here over fences (25%). This 8 year-old will have the services of former champion jockey – Richard Johnson – and despite being 2lbs out of the handicap gets in here with just 10st to carry. The first-time cheekpieces are an interesting addition too, while he beat the King horse – Notachance – at Newbury 12 months ago – a repeat of that run would give him a fair chance. Late Romantic is another to note, while the Venetia Williams yard have been going great guns of late so their Achille and Didero Vallis also command respect.
