One of the key racing events of the month is Victor Chandler Chase Day at Ascot on January 21. Betview's Richard Preen looks ahead to the 25th anniversary of the big race

Following the festive break, top class racing returns with a bang in the form of the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot at the end of the month. Ascot's flagship jumps race is celebrating its 25th anniversary and, if previous years are to go by, there's a virtual guarantee of a big name landing the spoils. Desert Orchid won the inaugural running all those years ago and the class and quality of the winners has not abated with Master Minded the most recent winner having secured two of the last three renewals.

It was so nearly not to be for Tony McCoy's mount who won by a short head from Somersby in a thrilling finale to last year's encounter. McCoy blamed himself for cutting it fine but Paul Nicholls will have surely forgiven him as it enabled the remarkable trainer to complete a straight hat-trick of wins, taking his Victor Chandler Chase tally to four.

The race will once again be at the fore of Nicholls' plans with a number of potential runners being considered for an outing. Victor Chandler spokesman Charlie McCann expects it will provide Nicholls with the opportunity to renew training rivalries: 'It wouldn't surprise me if this year it once again comes down to a Paul Nicholls vs Nicky Henderson shootout almost mirroring the entire jump season. With Finian's Rainbow missing the Tingle Creek there's a chance that Henderson will now run him at Ascot against maybe a Tataniano, Kauto Stone or even a Master Minded if he fails to stay in the King George.

'Owners and trainers like to have their horse run over the Christmas period so we'll know more earlier in the year,' continues McCann. 'We'll be hoping to get one of the leading two-mile chasers from Ireland. It's fascinating that Sizing Europe came over for the Tingle Creek – he's the type of horse, along with Big Zeb, that we'd be looking to attract. We have the novices as well with Captain Chris a strong possibility if he doesn't go the distance at Kempton. But it's all conjecture with so many variables between now and then.'

Betting, as ever, will prove lively with competition for market share at an all time high. Sponsors Victor Chandler plan to commemorate their special year with a number of promotions 'Because it's the 25th year we'll certainly be running some specials to celebrate our flagship sponsorship,' confirms McCann. 'Punters have never had it so good with place terms, money back offers or enhanced odds. But because we don't have the field in place yet we can't go out on a limb in terms of promotions. We're really looking forward to what is bound to be a sensational race and there will be some sensational offers to match.'

On-course, Victor Chandler will be ably represented by Bill Tye who will be the public face of the firm as money changes hands. Tye is hoping for a more competitive field this year to stimulate turnover: 'Last year the race was a bit lop-sided with Master Minded heading affairs,' says Tye. 'He was odds-on so from a turnover point of view we suffered as people presume he's a certainty and are less inclined to bet on any of the other horses, or indeed Master Minded himself.

'At the end of the day he nearly got beat but If Master Minded runs again we may be faced with a similar scenario. The meeting though is always well attended and we'll expect brisk business throughout the day.'

One man that will be buoyed by a good attendance is Ascot's PR chief Nick Smith who is anticipating a memorable anniversary meeting: 'It's our flagship jumps race and of course this year's running will be very special,' he tells Betview.

'It's always ideally placed in the calendar as there's a period in the run-up to Cheltenham where horses have their breaks but the Victor Chandler is early enough in the year and far enough out from Cheltenham to provide an ideal springboard to the Champion Chase. We're really looking forward to what promises to be a very special and lively day's racing.'