Balder best in Ascot Chase Balder Succes staked his claim for Cheltenham glory with a clear-cut victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase at the Berkshire track. The 4-1 shot, trained by Alan King, put his rivals to the sword once Wayne Hutchinson took him to the front at the fourth-last. Ma Filleule tried to make a challenge, but Balder Succes always had her measure as he jumped superbly and a typically brilliant leap at the last confirmed the win. He scored by three and a quarter lengths to register a second Grade One triumph. Leading novice Ptit Zig, the 6-4 favourite, fell at the ninth fence. Hutchinson said: "This a horse who has been great to me. The owners have been very supportive and it's for the team as well. "Good horses like Voy Por Ustedes and My Way De Solzen don't come along very often. He's a flag-bearer for us now."
