RSA Chase Odds
For many, the RSA Chase is one of the understated joys of the Cheltenham Festival. It takes place on the second day of the proceedings at 2.40pm and is a Class A Grade 1 chase. Despite being open to novices of ages 5-years-old and upwards, the 3 miles and half a furlong course is one that best favours experience.
As the race history shows throughout the years, a little maturity goes a long way to separating the runners from the winners in this particular event.
It has been previously known as both the Royal Chase and the Sun Alliance chase, but whatever name it goes by it is always a sure-fire challenge to the novice chasers who feature in it, with the combination of stamina, run at the quicker-than-usual festival pace, often proving too much for the uninitiated.
It had, until recent years, become known for its shock results, which are were caused in no small part by the aforementioned conditions.
However, in three of the last four years that this race has been run, it has been the favourites who have been first past the post, perhaps hinting that trainers are starting to become adept at knowing what it really takes to compete in the tough conditions.
The current safety limit for the race has been far exceeded in years gone by, the modern, and rather modest limit of 20, was smashed back in 1986, which saw 30 runners compete against each other.
Conversely, back in 1993, there were a meagre 8 runners who dared to take on its unique challenges.
Lord Noelie holds the record for the quickest time to complete the course, running a blistering 6 mins and 5.3 seconds, over a decade ago.
In the 2010 RSA Chase, Citizen Vic burst out of the box and quickly established itself as pacesetter, with Ruby Walsh managing to keep time.
After a bad fall from Citizen Vic, it was Weapon’s Amnesty, trained by Charles Byrnes, who eventually emerged as the victor, coming in at 10/1 odds.
Names to watch in 2011 include; Mikael Dhaguenet, Time For Rupert and Tell Massini.
