BBC News: First Flow beats Politologue at Ascot to give Kim Bailey first Grade One win in 26 years

Published 2021/01/24

The 14-1 shot, under a brilliant ride from David Bass, saw off champion chaser Politologue with King George runner-up Waiting Patiently third.

It was a first top-level Grade One for Bailey since Master Oats in the 1995 Cheltenham Gold Cup 9,445 days earlier.

The 2017 and 2018 champion hurdler Buveur D'Air was beaten on his return into second by Navajo Pass at Haydock.

Royal Pagaille is as low as 10-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after winning the Peter Marsh Chase.

First Flow won by seven lengths after drawing level with early leader Politologue with a neat mid-race manoeuvre and pulling clear in the cloising stages.

"I was absolutely staggered, to be honest, because we both felt the ground wasn't going to be soft enough and that if he had finished third he would have done very well. I admit I didn't expect him to improve like that," said Gloucestershire trainer Bailey.

Full Clarence House Chase result 

The nine-year-old First Flow was stepping up to the top level over fences for the first time in his career and is now about 8-1 from 50-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"I'm so pleased for the owner Tony Solomons, who is my longest-standing patron. He's 92 and has been with me for 40 years, showing that loyalty is a great thing in life," said Bailey, 67.

Fanion D'Estruval came in fourth while Defi Du Seuil was a disappointing fifth.