Love would be in the air, but the sound of thundering hooves would be more important in the world of horse racing as Valentine's Day would take a back seat behind Grade One action at Ascot. This mid February fixture falls at a crucial point in the season with less than a month until the prestigious Cheltenham Festival and the final trial events would take place.
A seven race card would provide a healthy blend of quality and competitiveness for those attending. The Grade One Ascot Chase would take place over two and a half miles and has seen some memorable performances in recent years from popular chasers. Elsewhere, valuable handicap chases and hurdle races would join a graded novice chase which has a rich legacy of providing star chasers of the future. There will be clues aplenty on show at the Berkshire venue and the notebook would be open, ready to take stock for the future. 

Race One: The Betfair Novices' Hurdle - Class Two - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners:
This valuable racecard would kick off with an informative novice hurdle over the intermediate distance of just under two and a half miles. This contest may not necessarily provide Cheltenham winners next month, but with a whole host of valuable races for novices coming up at other meetings, there could be one of two above average performers lurking in the lineup.
Last season, this race would see the Joe Tizzard-trained First Confession make all for a relatively easy success, his second at Ascot of the season. It would also come in the middle of two Grade One assignments, one of which came at Cheltenham, 

Heading the card for this season would be Etna Bianco, trained by last year's winning trainer Joe Tizzard. The grey would take a similar path as last year's winner as he won over slightly further at Ascot in November, but struggled to make an impact in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury over Christmas. This would be a big drop in class for the six year old. Next up would be another previous winner, the Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained Bobby's Nelson. The seven year old had been beaten narrowly into second on three separate occasions, but finally got off the mark in good style at Ffos Las last time, winning stylishly. Another smart prospect would be Dan Skelton's Bossman Jack. The lightly raced novice won on his racecourse debut early last year and then won at the second attempt over hurdles in early January; overpowering a talented horse in the process. Anthony Honeyball is a trainer who does well at this time of the year and would be represented by Catchintsavo. The six year old has a solid record with just one bad run so far. He would belatedly land a first win last time out, battling hard for the win over a longer trip than this at Ludlow. Another very lightly raced sort would be Sam Attwood's Irandando Has. The former French-trained gelding was off the track for a very long time, but made a winning comeback at Southwell in December and wasn't disgraced when beaten on his latest start at Ayr a month later. The previous winners would keep coming, this time with Jamie Snowden's six year old Johnny's Jury. The grey is related to plenty of high class jumpers and made a good impression by winning on stable debut at Exeter last time out. A second runner for the Joe Tizzard stable would be Kasino Des Mottes. The six year old is evidently well thought of and has form at a higher level, but has just one win over hurdles to his name. He would finish third in a similar event here last month. Mondoui'Boy had shown smart from earlier in his career and switched stables to the Ben Pauling stable mid-season where he made an impressive start by winning at Ludlow last month. He looks to be another useful long term prospect. Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White would also be represented by the talented Starzand. The six year old looked to have a good future ahead of him by winning three in a row, but more recently his bubble has burst with defeats in similar company. The grey Swindon Village took his place here for the Charlie Longsdon stable and had won nicely over hurdles two starts ago, but struggled in a valuable race over three miles at Windsor last month. This would be slightly easier over a more suitable distance. Paul Nicholls's season of rebuilding would continue with his runner Talk To The Man. The lightly raced six year old is bred to make a good chaser, but seemed to love the heavy ground last time with a clearcut win earlier this month at Taunton. The last of the previous winners in the line up would come from the in-form stable of Sam Thomas, Whiskey Yankee. The five year old would defy a long break to win nicely at this venue last month over slightly further and is another promising type. The remaining runners would have an advantage over their rivals as they haven't won a race so far, so had less weight to carry. First of the maidens would be the Nicky Henderson-trained Blue Run. The six year old comes from a good family so better will have been expected of him before a poor debut effort at Windsor at the end of last year. Dan Skelton would also be represented by the more exposed Coumeenoole. The former Irish-trained gelding made a stable switch midway through this season and has failed to get involved in a couple of handicap hurdles recently for current connections. A second maiden in the field for the Nicky Henderson yard would be the smart Galashiels. He won twice at listed level in France on the flat, but since joining his current trainer, he has run way below that level. He would shape slightly better when third at Wincanton last time out. Completing the line up would be Kildinian Prince from the Emma Lavelle stable. He would make a very promising debut in Ireland back in the summer, but this would be his first start since. Despite this, he has moved to an in form yard, so should find wins in the near future. 

Winner:

Race Two: The IJF Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices' Chase - Grade Two - Three Miles - Runners:

Next up would be a novice chase with plenty of history and a tendency for being a stepping stone to bigger things for some top class horses. Named in honour of the two time winner of the Grand National in the 1930's, the Reynoldstown Chase is seen as a true test of stamina for a novice, but bears a good link with the Cheltenham Festival. 
Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Little Owl and Mr Mulligan feature amongst the past winners, as well as the high class Royal Athlete, One Man and Albertas Run. In 2014, Rebecca Curtis's O'Faolain's Boy landed this race before winning the RSA Chase at Cheltenham a month later, the most recent horse to complete the double.  Last year, Joe Tizzard's The Changing Man was totally dominant in the contest, thrashing the opposition and going on to place in numerous high class handicaps recently.

This year's contest would see a small but select field, but there would be quality over quantity here. Heading the card would be the nine year old Thomas Mor from the Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White stable. The formerly smart hurdler made a flawless chasing debut when winning here in November, but put in a career best when second in a Grade One at Kempton over Christmas, not beaten far in the process. Anthony Honeyball saddled the runner-up in last year's contest and would look to go one place better with Crest Of Fortune. Having placed at Grade One level over hurdles last season, he hasn't run to the same standard over fences and was well beaten in the Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton over Christmas. The Ben Pauling stable won this two seasons ago and would be represented by the rapidly progressive The Jukebox Kid. The seven year old has a good strike so far and landed a handicap chase over course and distance in good style last month. This would be a harder task, but he is going the right way. Last year's winning connections would aim for a second win a row with Western Knight. Joe Tizzard's seven year old struggled on chasing debut earlier in the season, but has turned the corner with two wins in a row. His most recent win came over a shorter trip, but looks a promising stayer in the making. A second runner for the Anthony Honeyball stable would be the mare Presenting A Queen. The nine year old remains winless over fences so far, but took fourth in a listed contest last time out and would be looking for more "black type" for her future. A second mare would round out of the field, Henry Daly's Wyenot. She was a talented hurdler and won a listed race in that sphere before scraping home to win on chasing debut at Ludlow. Last time out, she struggled in listed company at Warwick and had a tougher task ahead of her. 

Winner:

Race Three: The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle - Class Two - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners:

The action would continue to heat up as this class two handicap hurdle over two and a half miles would look a fiercely competitive one, typical of a Saturday fixture. The contest would be contested by regular faces at this level alongside course specialists. 
Last year's edition would see Harry Fry's Altobelli travel strongly throughout the contest and pull clear to win, adding to his healthy strike rate of two wins and three placings at this venue.

Carrying top weight in this year's race would be the talented mare Kateira, from the Dan Skelton yard. The nine year old has been around seemingly forever, but she was placed at Grade One level a few seasons ago. After winning a listed race at Wetherby back in November, she competed at a higher level this season but ran poorly back in handicap company last time out. Another nine year old in the field would be the Olly Murphy-trained Rambo T. He would land a valuable handicap hurdle at Chepstow at the start of the season, but his two runs since then haven't been as strong. This would be his first run since New Year's Day. Another very smart hurdler would be Tripoli Flyer from the Fergal O'Brien stable. Last season's Grade Two novice hurdle winner didn't take too well to fences earlier in the season, but bounced back to form with a second over course and distance a month ago. Intellotto has been done it all in a short career so far, running on the flat and then winning over both hurdles and fences during his time in Ireland. Making his debut for the Daisy Hitchins stable, this would be his first start since the Irish Cesarewitch Handicap in which he finished towards the rear. The Paul Nicholls-trained Captain Teague looked to have a big future ahead of him when winning a Grade One hurdle two seasons ago, but injury has interrupted his progress. A chasing career was cut short after two runs and he ran adequately back over hurdles when fourth at Windsor in January. A second runner for the Olly Murphy team would be the useful Act Of Authority. The eight year old took second in a race at the Cheltenham Festival last year and has continued his progression with good placed efforts in similar company this season. Ben Pauling would saddle Fiercely Proud, whose last win came in a good handicap hurdle at Ascot in December 2024, but he has struggled for form since then. After showing a bit of promise at Cheltenham in November, he ran poorly again last time out here in December. David Pipe was once a trainer to follow in races of this nature, but arguably hasn't had the firepower in recent times. He would be represented by Jurancon here and the seven year old was very progressive until this season. The multiple winner has struggled in competitive races at Cheltenham and Newbury and is starting to look a bit exposed all of a sudden. Dan Skelton would also be represented by handicap hurdle regular Listentoyourheart. The mare would win at listed level last season before her form dipped at the end of last season. She has returned to her previous smart level this season and returned to winning ways at Windsor last month, picking up a similar contest to this one. Hurricane Bay looked to be a smart stayer in the making a couple of seasons ago, placing in Graded company, but Lucy Wadham's ten year old has been a little inconsistent lately. He would make a return to hurdling for the first time since 2024 in a bid to revive his career. Another runner for Fergal O'Brien would be the in form John Barbour. The gelding has finished outside the top four just once in his career and is rising through the ranks nicely. He would win at Uttoxeter for the second time this season on his latest start and returned to this competitive level. Bourbali has been unlucky not to win recently and has had a string of near misses this season. Joe Tizzard's nine year old was picked off close home at Taunton and would deserve a win here. From the younger brigade, Kalium took his place in the field for the Tim Vaughan stable. The six year old enjoyed a productive novice campaign, winning three times last season, before posting a good effort on his seasonal comeback at Doncaster when third. Sam Thomas is establishing himself as a trainer in recent times and would be represented by Range in this contest. The nine year old had been a useful chaser of late, but reverted to hurdles last time out and narrowly scored at Sandown in December, of which the form was nicely boosted recently. Faye Bramley is another young trainer enjoying a breakout season and would rely on the unpredictable No Ordinary Joe here. The ten year old has been out of sorts this season, but at his best, he was capable of placing at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023. The formerly Irish based De Temps En Temps has been improved further by current trainer Martin Keighley. The seven year old landed back to back wins at Uttoxeter and Cheltenham earlier in the season, but was just starting to fade when exiting the contest at Kempton over Christmas. The youngest horse in the line up would be the five year old Melon, who made the journey South from Cheshire for trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. The chestnut has quickly developed into a smart hurdler and should be capable of winning a valuable race at some point. Making his seasonal reappearance in this contest would be Teriferma from the Newmarket stable of Jack Jones. The five year old won on British debut in December 2024, but he hasn't been seen in action since the Fred Winter Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival. Yet another consistent competitor in the line up would be Alistair Ralph's gelding Lightningupourdays. The seven year old has just one win to his name, but it is backed up by a lot of placings. He would run his usual sound race last time out when third at Hereford just before Christmas. Fresh Speculation arrived at Ascot in top form as Henry Daly's runner looked to complete a hat trick. The eight year old has turned the corner recently with two wins in lesser company lately, but this would be an even tougher test. Charlie Longsdon would also be represented by Kamaxos here. The nine year old has had a bit of longevity in his career, but usually excels at a lower level. After winning narrowly at Leicester in November, he would run well again into second at Uttoxeter when last seen. The quirky Moveit Like Minnie could only manage a midfield finish in this race last year, but returned for a second attempt. Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies's nine year old has some good placed form at Ascot, so has the potential to run well if in the mood. Completing the field would be Confinentic for the Chris Gordon stable. The six year old looked to be heading in the right direction last season, but his progress has been halted recently by two comfortable defeats at a lower level.

Winner:

Race Four: The Betfair Swinley Premier Handicap Chase - Class One - Three Miles - Runners:
The valuable action would continue, this time over fences with this hotly contested staying event. In the race's former guise, it was once perceived as a trial for the Whitbread Gold Cup and saw Aldaniti win this race in 1981 prior to his famous Grand National success later that year. After a hiatus of 25 years, the race returned to the schedule in 2011 and has seen plenty of popular handicappers win; such as Regal Encore in 2018.

Last year's contest would see a thrilling battle between 2024's winner Threeunderthrufive and course specialist Victtorino. A nose would separate the pair, but it was Victtorino who landed his fourth Ascot success.

The class of 2025 would be lead by the evergreen Sam Brown, trained by Anthony Honeyball. Now a fourteen year old, he has shown no signs of slowing by winning at Newbury eleven months ago. He would fade away over a longer trip on his comeback run at Cheltenham in November, his latest run. Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies's Beauport won the Berkshire National by a country mile here in November 2024 before running well over hurdles. The ten year old hasn't been at his best this season though and was pulled up over hurdles in a Grade One here before Christmas. Threeunderthrufive would look to continue his good form in this contest for Paul Nicholls having won this in 2024 and gone very close last year. The eleven year old has only completed one race out of four starts since last year's renewal and he needs to return to form. The Ben Pauling-trained Henry's Friend produced an excellent weight carrying performance to win over course and distance back in November and ran well once again in a similar contest before Christmas when returning sixth in a bunched finish. Blow Your Wad has surpassed his very useful hurdling form since switching to fences a few seasons ago, but is an irregular winner. The eight year old also took part in the similar contest to this one before Christmas, but could only manage eighth. He has now joined the Gary and Josh Moore stable in an interesting move. A second runner for Ben Pauling would be the fragile Your Darling. Despite now being an eleven year old, he has been sporadically sighted of late. He would run an excellent race in defeat at Kempton last time out when denied by a small margin. The Emma Lavelle stable have been enjoying a good season so far and would be represented by King's Threshold here. The nine year old has a good strike rate over fences and was strong at the finish to win the Mandarin Chase at Newbury over the festive period.  Another seasoned veteran in the line-up would be Tom Lacey's eleven year old Nocte Volatus. He has found a new lease of life this season, winning a pair of veterans contests in good style. Yet another former course and distance winner in the line up would be In d'Or from the Fergal O'Brien stable. The eight year old hasn't run badly in two starts for his current connections, finishing third here last month. The stable of AJ and Jonjo O'Neill has bounced back to form with a vengeance lately and would look to continue their hot streak with Jipcot. The seven year old has been a regular at this sort of level in the past and returned to winning ways at Leicester recently. The talented Joyeaux Machin has been hard to win with since joining to Dan Skelton, but he is capable when at his best. The nine year old finished second in the handicap hurdle on this card last year and switches between hurdles and fences. He had the race in his hand when falling at Doncaster last time out and looked to gain compensation. The grey Excello lined up for the Nicky Henderson yard and won at this venue earlier in his career. After placing over the Grand National fences in November, he took a nasty fall at Cheltenham when last seen on New Year's Day. Yet another runner for Ben Pauling would be the quietly progressive Leader In The Park. The eight year old has improved season on season and has shown potential to win a nice contest based on his two second placings this season. Another popular veteran in the line up would be Credo from the Anthony Honeyball stable. The mare has held her form nicely of late, but ran below her best at Sandown last time out and needs to bounce back. Faye Bramley emerged on the scene with a big race success at Cheltenham in December and looked to add another with Walking On Air. The once smart hurdler has been hit and miss over fences, but produced his best run so far when third in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster last month. Joe Tizzard does well with staying chasers and would have another one in the making with Rivers Corner. The eight year old has been running well over marathon distances and scored by a big margin last time out in the Somerset National at Wincanton in January. Last year's winning trainer Venetia Williams has endured a terrible season by her high standards, but would be represented here by Hunter Legend. The nine year old has started to come into form recently with three placed efforts, albeit beaten a long way in the process. One of the leading contenders would carry the JP McManus silks, Tom Lacey's Montregard. The seven year old won in good style over course and distance earlier in the season before chasing home a good prospect here last month. He would sneak into the line up with a low weight. Another runner for the Gary and Josh Moore stable would be the grey Invincible Nao. The eight year old's form has taken off in the past year and he looks to be versatile in terms of trip. After winning on his seasonal reappearance, he then posted a good effort over a much longer trip when third at Lingfield last month. Completing the field would be David Pipe's Gericault Roque, who has been lightly raced of late. At the peak of his form, the ten year old would have too much class over his rivals as a former Cheltenham Festival runner-up. He looked laboured on his latest start at Warwick and has plenty to prove now.

Winner: 

Race Five: The Betfair Ascot Chase - Grade One - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners:

The feature race of the day would be billed as a mouthwatering match up between two top class horses. The Ascot Chase has is often an eagerly awaited contest each season since its first running in 1995. Taking place over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles, it provides an ideal warm up for the upcoming Cheltenham and Aintree festivals which grow ever larger on the horizon. Some of jumps racing's all time greats have won this race since the turn of the century, including a golden era involving Our Vic, Monet's Garden and of course, the mercurial Kauto Star. In more recent times, the hall of fame grows stronger with dual winner Cue Card, Silvinaco Conti and Shishkin all winning this Grade One contest.

The race has been locked down in the last two runnings by the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic d'Orhy, who clearly loves this venue and distance. Despite a small field, he put on a jumping clinic and routed his rivals by ten lengths. He would return for the hat trick attempt.

There would be another small field this year, but the intrigue would be no lesser. Blow Your Wad also held an engagement in the proceeding handicap chase on the card, but Gary and Josh Moore opted to aim higher at this contest. The eight year old has plenty of ability, but hasn't been able to produce it over fences and finished eighth in a very competitive handicap here last time out. The dual purpose yard of Jennie Candlish has grown in stature of late and aimed for a big shock with Classic Maestro. The eight year old improved by a stone in the ratings last season, but this would be his first ever attempt at a Graded contest. The widely popular Edwardstone still keeps going strongly, now at the age of twelve. Alan King's stalwart has enjoyed a brilliant career and returned to winning ways at Kempton last month, picking up the pieces in a Grade Two. One of a few course specialists in the line up would be Dan Skelton's Etalon. The smart handicap chaser ran his rivals ragged when winning a class two contest here in January and wasn't beaten far at the same level last month. This would be a bigger ask however. A second runner for the Skelton team would be Heltenham. Just like his stablemate Etalon, the nine year old has been a solid type in handicaps, but has fallen on his last two starts. Connections will be hoping for a clear round to pick up some prize money here. The first of the big guns in the contest would be the excellent Jonbon. Nicky Henderson's ten year old has finished in the top two in all his races and has an impressive tally of Grade One wins. He landed the Clarence House Chase for a second time here last month and stepped up in distance, but he has won on both attempts. The defending champion Pic d'Orhy would be looking to put up a stern defence of his crown here. Paul Nicholls's eleven year old has won five times at Ascot, including the last two renewals of this race. This season has been slightly quieter however, finishing second at Wetherby and then a disappointing third here when last seen in November. The field would be completed by a third Dan Skelton runner, Riskintheground. The nine year old has established himself as a smart chaser, winning at Newton Abbott in October, but he is quite inconsistent and finished last of four runners at Newbury last weekend.

Winner: 

Race Six: The Betfair Handicap Hurdle - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners:

After the drama and excitement of the Grade One action just moments earlier, the racecard would begin to wind up with another well contested handicap hurdle. This one would be a qualifier for the Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series which reaches its climax at Haydock in early April. A top eight finish here would be good enough to make the final, so connections will be keen on a good showing from their horse. 
Last season, the race went the way of Samuel Spade from the Ben Pauling yard. The six year old made stealthy progress and arrived late on the scene to record the success. 

This year's contest would be see Hurricane Bay carry top weight. Lucy Wadham's ten year old was a smart young prospect over hurdles three seasons ago, but failed to live up to the potential over fences. He now reverts back to hurdles following a poor effort at Cheltenham last time out. The Tim Vaughan-trained Kallium also held an entry in the earlier handicap hurdle, but lined up for this bigger test in stamina. The six year old progressed nicely in his first season, winning four times and then returning to action with a good third at Doncaster at the end of November. Next up came Operation Manna for the Tom Lacey stable. The ten year old was a prolific winner earlier in his career, but more recently his form has more letters than numbers. He would pull up once again on latest start at Wincanton and has now returned to hurdling. The eleven year old Hung Jury was a very good sort in the point-to-point field and has transferred his ability to regular racing. Martin Keighley's gelding remains lightly raced over hurdles and was last seen pulling up in the Welsh National over the festive period. The largely unexposed runner in the field would be Dan Sketon's six year old Tormund Giantsbane. He would make a smooth start over hurdles by winning at Carlisle in November and was sent straight into a Grade Two at Sandown next time where he wasn't disgraced in fourth. The stable of Robbie Llewellyn often does well with their small string of horses and they would be represented by the long absent Loup de Maulde. The nine year old finished second in this race in 2023, but he was last seen to good effect by winning twice in a row in early 2024. This would be some training feat to bring him back to his best, some two years later. Olly Murphy often does well in restricted handicap contests like this one and would saddle the consistent Woodland Park. The seven year old has produced a series of good efforts in defeat this season, including at Uttoxeter last time when going close. This would be a big step up in trip however. A progressive horse in the line up would be the six year old Stone's Throw, trained by Billy Aprahamian. He started this season on a low note, but has bounced back to win his last two starts in good style; the latest of them coming by a wide margin at Doncaster. The six year old Yellow Star would take his place in the line up for the Gary and Josh Moore yard and his season has been a story of ups and down. He would cause a small surprise when winning at Warwick two starts ago, but was outclassed in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last time. He would be another to rise up in distance for this contest. The Fergal O'Brien team would be represented by the in form Heart Over Head. The seven year old has found a new level of form since stepping up to three miles and recorded a double of wins at Market Rasen and Uttoxeter either side of the New Year. The eight year old Il Va De Soi took his place in the line up for the Harry Derham stable and was heading in the right direction two seasons ago. In more recent times though, his form has dropped off and plenty of questions hover over him after two non-finishes recently. Next up would be High Treason for the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies stable. The seven year old began his career brightly with a pair of novice wins, but hasn't gone on since then and has finished in the midfield spots on his most recent races. Anthony Honeyball would be represented here by the eight year old Sea Invasion, who has a good strike rate of late. After winning twice at Plumpton at the end of last season, he returned to form after a slight blip by taking third at Kempton over the Christmas period and would be another with a good chance. 

Winner: