The Ladbrokes 1965 Chase, a Grade 2 prize run at Ascot over two miles, five furlongs and thirteen yards, brings together some of Britain and France’s finest intermediate chasers for a crucial early-season clash.
The Saturday, 22 November 2025 renewal features five runners and is often used as a stepping-stone for the King George VI Chase or even the Cheltenham Festival’s Ryanair Chase later in the season.
Not only is the race a significant target in its own right but it also provides an early look at horses with festival aspirations, with recent winners boosting profiles ahead of Kempton and Cheltenham attempts.
Ascot’s right-handed track and demanding jumping test, with 17 fences and tight turns, ensure that only high-class, well-schooled chasers can prevail.
The race, limited to horses aged four and up, has a strong tradition with trainers such as Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson regularly target the event.
With a prestige purse and a roll of honour that includes Politologue and Master Minded, the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase reliably serves up key clues for the rest of the jumps season.
This year’s edition sees the French star Il Est Francais make a much-anticipated appearance against defending champion Pic D’orhy and rivals Gidleigh Park, Jango Baie, and Master Chewy.
1965 Chase Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Il Est Francais | 5/2 |
| Pic D’Orhy | 5/2 |
| Jango Baie | 5/2 |
| Gidleigh Park | 4/1 |
| Master Chewy | 18/1 |
Il Est Francais: French Raider With Class
Il Est Francais, trained this season by Tom George, arrives as a fascinating contender. Connections switched trainers in November 2025, moving from Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s French yard to Tom George (Noel’s father) in Britain.
The decision was collaborative, prompted by the horse reaching a “crossroads” where Britain’s racing programme, with more suitable, right-handed tracks, better fit his needs.
British owners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes took full ownership, buying out his French breeder and have now determined that his main seasonal target is the King George VI Chase at Kempton, where he’s excelled before.
Known for his fluent jumping and relentless gallop, Il Est Francais brings a reputation for front-running aggression and stamina.
His record includes successes over a range of middle distances on soft and good ground, with form lines in top company against the likes of Banbridge and others.
Now, with James Reveley taking the reins, he faces British rivals in his first start for Tom George, and the sense is that he can improve on previous exploits given his age and scope.
Preparation for this race appears well timed, with Ascot’s configuration likely to suit his strong-travelling, prominent running style.
Provided he recaptures his French flair and adapts quickly to George’s methods, Il Est Francais will be a tough nut to crack.
Pic D’orhy: The Title Defender
Defending champion Pic D’orhy returns for Paul Nicholls, bringing with him a superb Ascot track record and a profile as one of the most reliable chasers at intermediate trips in Britain.
Now ten, the French-bred son of Turgeon continues to post high-class efforts. Pic D’orhy won this race in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating a liking for Ascot’s idiosyncratic circuit, particularly when allowed to race prominently but not force the issue.
Regular partner Harry Cobden is again in the saddle, aiming for a tactical ride against a field containing some progressive types.
While Pic D’orhy may no longer have the all-out speed of his younger days, his form and course craft make him a formidable opponent.
He is well known for his consistency and his ability to go well fresh, a trait that serves him well in seasonal reappearances such as this.
Gidleigh Park: The Progressive Challenger
Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park is something of a wild card in the line-up. A lightly-raced seven-year-old, he showed notable improvement last season, mixing it with some of the leading novices and resurfacing well on his return from a break.
His overall level suggests he has plenty of scope to progress, particularly now moving out of novice company into open Grade 2 contests.
Bryan Carver takes the ride, and connections will hope he can negotiate the step up in class after learning plenty from Gidleigh Park’s earlier spins at tracks like Cheltenham and Newbury.
The horse’s strengths lie in his smooth travelling and the ability to finish off races with a flourish when in clear air.
While this assignment is a stern one, against proven, established Grade 2 horses, a bold show would mark Gidleigh Park as a name to watch for the remainder of the season, especially if the tempo is strong and stamina comes into play.
Jango Baie: Unexposed and Dangerous
Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, Jango Baie is another lurking danger.
The six-year-old boasts a profile that combines smart hurdles form with a promising novice chase campaign, and the belief in the Henderson yard is that this horse is on the verge of a major breakthrough.
Jango Baie’s best efforts have come when allowed to settle before launching a strong late surge, a style that could play well with pace on from Il Est Francais.
With a decent chasing mark and last season’s progressive form in the book, expect Jango Baie to be ridden patiently before trying to pounce late.
If the race does turn tactical, Jango Baie’s finishing speed may pose a threat, especially if front-runners cut each other’s throats on the sharp Ascot bends.
Master Chewy: Up in Grade, Big Test
Completing the field is Master Chewy, trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies.
An eight-year-old with a background of solid handicap chase form, Master Chewy has earned his shot at this higher class after a series of determined performances.
He is, however, up against some of the best in the division and will need to improve again if he’s to feature in the finish.
While not the likely winner on paper, Master Chewy adds depth to the race and ensures that any early mistakes or tactical miscalculations by the favourites could be punished.
His honest running and jumping ability may see him play a significant role, especially if others falter.
Who Will Win?
Small fields are typical in top-end British chasing, often due to the concentration of talent in a handful of yards and cautious planning from connections seeking ideal conditions.
The 1965 Chase, with its tough trip, high-quality opposition, and proximity to other big targets like the Betfair Chase and King George, tends to discourage all but those specifically targeting the race or seeking a marker for later in the season.
For some, tough ground or challenging fences at Ascot are not the desired place to launch a campaign, narrowing the field to a select, ambitious few.
Still, quality trumps quantity, and with Il Est Francais, Pic D’orhy, and their lively challengers in opposition, this promises to be one of the purest early-season tests of chasing class and tactical nous on the calendar.
BETFRED
