The Betway Mandarin Handicap Chase, run over 3m2f at Newbury, has a rich history which could almost be described as a who’s who of jumpers.
It’s roll of honour is littered with Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winners with some of the greatest jumps trainers there have ever been having had the winner on ore than one occasion. Fulke Walwyn, Fred Winter, Ryan Price and Fred Rimell are just some of the names featuring prominently. Nicky Henderson sent out Zongalero to win almost 40 years ago – strangely, the champion trainer has not had the winner since! Equine superstars to have triumphed previously include Mill House, What A Myth, Master Smudge, Night Nurse and Maori Venture. More recent winners include Party Politics and Jodami.
Horse Racing Betting at Bet365
That said, the Mandarin Chase is not held in the same prestige as was once the case. It’s now only a Class 3 contest and prize money relative to other races staged around the Christmas period has declined so it’s no longer targeted by chasers with loftier ambitions, though no race run over fences at Newbury rarely passes off without incident.
- All winners since 2011 have been shorter than 13/2.
- The last seven winners had all raced within the previous six weeks.
- Winning form over at least 3m over fences is essential.
- There has been no winner aged older than nine since 2006.
- Those carrying under 11st tend to fare badly.
Recent Mandarin Chase Winners
| 2010 | Pride of Dulcote | 7 | 11-04 | Nick Scholfield | Paul Nicholls |
| 2011 | Rey Nacarado | 7 | 11-02 | Andrew Tinkler | Charlie Longsdon |
| 2012 | Pete The Feat | 9 | 11-07 | Noel Fehily | Charlie Longsdon |
| 2013 | Financial Climate | 6 | 11-00 | Thomas Garner | Oliver Sherwood |
| 2014 | Knockanrawley | 6 | 11–12 | Jason Maguire | Kim Bailey |
| 2015 | Silvergrove | 7 | 11-07 | David Bass | Ben Pauling |
| 2016 | Potters Cross | 9 | 11-09 | James King[a] | Rebecca Curtis |
| 2017 | Daklondike | 5 | 11-10 | Tom Scudamore | David Pipe |
| 2018 | Carole’s Destrier | 10 | 11-12 | Robert Dunne | Neil Mulholland |
Bet365 are current best odds on recent Haydock winner Cobolobo at 9/2 but Jonjo O’Neill’s stayer is hardly a reliable proposition having failed to complete in four of his last seven outings.
Copperhead has only had two runs over fences and won the second of those at Wincanton earlier this month. There is clearly scope for further improvement and Colin Tizzard’s five-year-old is a best 9/2 with Paddy Power, though does have to defy a 9lb rise in the weights.
Moving In Style was second over a longer distance at Haydock and is a best 7/1, though that wasn’t much of a race.
Boughtbeforelunch is a best 15/2 with Bet365 but keeps finding one too good. There is also a big question mark surrounding the soft going with Paul Webber’s stable struggling for winners at present.
Strong Pursuit has been hard to train and is returning from yet another lengthy absence so the 8/1 makes limited appeal but POLYDORA must have a chance at similar odds.
Tom Lacey’s seven-year-old needs plenty of encouragement but did come up against a well-handicapped and in-form rival on his reappearance at Ayr. If he can put in a clear round, he might just be the value as he will have his ground and stamina will not be an issue.
Betway Mandarin Chase Current Best Odds
Copperhead and Cobolobo 9/2, Moving In Style 7/1, Boughtbeforelunch 15/2, Strong Pursuit and Polydora 8/1, Forgot To Ask and Antony 14/1, Goodnight Charlie 22/1, Indy Five 33/1
(Odds correct at 2.00pm December 27)
