Staged at Leopardstown racecourse, Ireland, the Grade One Savills Chase (formerly the Lexus Chase) is run over a distance of 3m and is often seen as a decent guide ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, run later that season.
Some great names in recent years to land both races are Denman (2007/08) and Best Mate (2003/04), while considering the contest is staged in Ireland, we’ve actually seen 8 UK-based horses come over and win the prize in the last 20 years.
12 months ago we saw the Henry De Bromhead-trained A Plus Tard win the race by ½ a length from Kemboy - the winner went onto finish a gallant runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival.
Here at TQ, we take a look back at recent winners and gives you the key trends ahead of the 2021 renewal – this year run on Tuesday 28th December.
Recent Savills Chase Winners
2020 - A PLUS TARD
2019 – DELTA WORK
2018 - KEMBOY
2017 - ROAD TO RESPECT
2016 – OUTLANDER
2015 – DON POLI
2014 – ROAD TO RICHES
2013 – BOBS WORTH
2012 – TIDAL BAY
2011 – SYNCHRONISED
2010 – PANDORAMA
2009 – WHAT A FRIEND
2008 – EXOTIC DANCER
2007 – DENMAN
2006 – THE LISTENER
2005 – BEEF OR SALMON
2004 – BEEF OR SALMON
2003 – BEST MATE
2002 – BEEF OR SALMON
Savills Chase Betting Trends
19/20 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
19/20 – Had won at least 3 times over fences before
18/20 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
18/20 – Aged 8 or younger
16/20 – Had raced within the last 8 weeks
15/20 – Won by an Irish bred horse
15/20 – Had won over at least 3m (fences) before
12/20 – Placed favourites
10/20 – Aged either 7 or 8 years-old
9/20 – Winning distance – 4 lengths or more
8/20 – Won by a UK-based stable
6/20 – Winning favourites
6/20 – Won last time out
4/20 – Ran at Haydock last time out
3/20 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
3/20 – Went onto win that season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup
TQ VERDICT: A PLUS TARD
TQ DANGER: GALVIN
