Ascot pay refunds after being left red-faced by orange sticker blunder

As Ascot prepared on Sunday to issue refunds to their Premier Enclosure customers from Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase day, I was interested to find out how this public-relations blunder had occurred. Issuing orange spot stickers to those racegoers who failed the new dress code had seemed rather odd.

Smith, plainly dejected, explained that the exercise had been well-intentioned. Clearly, though, it had backfired in spectacular style, with many customers believing they had been issued with 'naughty boy’ badges for not coming up to scratch. Not surprisingly many of those who complained described the experience as “humiliating”.

“The stickers were given out to those racegoers, who had been spoken to [by gatemen] about the new dress code for Ascot meetings. We didn’t want them [the customers] bothered again, so it was a way of identifying them. Strangely enough, it was meant as a customer service. But it has sent out the wrong message, and we apologise,” he said.

It seems a jacket and tie for men and smart dress for ladies are now required to gain entrance to the Premier Enclosure at run-of-the-mill Ascot meetings. This will annoy some racegoers, particularly for jumping during the cold winter months. I am in favour of having a dress code, so long as we all know in advance what it is.

Incidentally, I have noticed that many observers get excessively uptight when it comes to Ascot and its traditions. It truly does not deserve that, even if mistakes have been made.

Finian's Rainbow is strongly fancied for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot

That mistake came four out when he appeared to be travelling best. It cost him four lengths and what appeared, at the time, his winning chance. But the nine year-old rallied brilliantly after the last fence, overhauling Wishfull Thinking and Oiseau De Nuit in the last few strides to win by three quarters of a length.

That took his record to five wins from six outings over fences, outstanding credentials that put him in the top rank for the 25th running of this popular chase. Nicky Henderson, whose team remain in good form, said: “Finian’s Rainbow jumped five fences [on Thursday morning] and he’s in cracking good form.”

Also worthy of inclusion in the top rank is the Paul Nicholls-trained novice Al Ferof, who has chase wins at Cheltenham and Sandown Park to his credit, in addition to his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victory at last year’s Festival. The consistent Somersby, runner-up to Master Minded – beaten only a short head – in last year’s Victor Chandler is another that comes into the reckoning.

However, yet again, this is shaping up into another Saturday feature-race clash of the two leading jumping stables, and this time I expect Henderson to come out on top.

He could also win the opener with a well-regarded newcomer from France, Triolo d’Alene, as well as the last race with the promising Hadrian’s Approach.

Zaynar, who started his career in this country with Henderson, looked rejuvenated when winning a novice chase at Ascot for Nick Williams last time. Off a mark of 150, he looks well placed to win the £70,000 BetVictor.com Handicap Chase. The Nicholls-trained Noland, who takes a drop in class after his fifth in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, might prove the danger.

Haydock’s Saturday card must survive an inspection at 8am. The ground there is already heavy and up to 10 millimetres of rainfall has been forecast before racing.

Ascot Selections

• 1.00: Triolo d’Alene
• 1.30: Balder Succes
• 2.05: Our Girl Salley
• 2.35: Rowan Tiger
• 3.10: Finian’s Rainbow
• 3.45: Zaynar (nap)
• 4.20: Hadrian’s Approach