Clarence House Chase Runners Guide: Classy Quartet To Battle At Ascot

Although just four two milers are set to collide in the Clarence House Chase, and the favourite is odds-on, it should still be a pulsating affair. The race has an old warhorse who has to prove he still has it, a star in his pomp, a rapid improver and a real wildcard. Billy Grimshaw brings you a runners guide and gives his 1-2-3 prediction...

1. Gidleigh Park - 8YO - Harry Fry & Bryan Carver

A definitive front runner and an unbelievable testament to the medical power involved in this great sport, given he has a heart monitor fitted, GIDLEIGH PARK has always been very highly thought of by the Harry Fry team. Tried predominantly over the intermediate trip, with promise but limited success, this looks to be a test at two perfectly suited to him. After being easily dismissed by a horse in Jango Baie who is proving himself with every run to be smarter and smarter at this track in the 1965 Chase, he could be the one who ends up giving the hot favourite most to think about now back at two.

Watching back his last run, he was putting on an exhibition of jumping and zeal up until the final few furlongs, when it is unclear if his stamina reserves ran out or if the winner just powered past him I am of the opinion Jango Baie will win this season's Gold Cup at Cheltenham, so in time being outstayed by him will be no slight against a two miler. If Bryan Carver gets this horse the lead - which will be no easy feat given Thistle Ask is also in the field - he could get the rest of the pack sweating. I expect him to be the last horse Il Etait Temps sees off.

2. Il Etait Temps - 8YO - Willie Mullins & Paul Townend

Indisputably the most likely winner, given his exploits on his last few visits across the Irish Sea, IL ETAIT TEMPS is priced prohibitively for punters but for purists is a horse to relish. The dashing grey missed almost a full year and as such still feels lightly raced given he is now eight, but on his comeback he laughed at Jonbon in the Sandown Celebration Chase to cap off season 2024/25 and he's not looked back since.

Looking to rack up a sixth win in succession, he is a horse seen to best effect when stalking a strong pace and he is almost certainly going to encounter that in this race. There have been musings on social media we could see a really breath taking figure put on his win here, assuming he does the business, as both Gidleigh Park and Thistle Ask only know one way of going - off like a scalded cat. Providing Il Etait Temps can go the gallop, which we have no evidence that he won't be able to do, he could blast clear of the remaining three and put in potentially a career best. With the race probably a no-bet for most, the hope must be we see something special from the classy favourite en route to the Champion Chase.

3. Jonbon - 10YO - Nicky Henderson & Harry Cobden

Arguably the runner in the race for which this matters most, defending champion JONBON has a CV that matches up to almost any horse, but there have been signs of late that Father Time is catching up with him. Nicky Henderson has confirmed a good run here would see him once again go for the Champion Chase, while an effort which exemplifies he has a lost a touch of his old pace would push them toward the Ryanair Chase

How that decision would go down with newly appointed JP McManus number 1 Harry Cobden, who does not officially start until May but has already ousted Nico De Boinville for this big ride, is unclear given the green and gold team already have Ryanair favourite and 2025 winner Fact To File in their ranks. The horse will, presumably, run where he is most suited now he's a veteran regardless of ownership mates and focusing back on this race in particular, I do think the jockey switch is an upgrade.

De Boinville cops a fair bit of stick and for all I think some of it is unwarranted, there is no disputing Harry Cobden is simply a better rider. Whether the new rider will breathe new life back into Jonbon or not remains to be seen, but he will have to put in an electric display to beat a peak form Il Etait Temps, given the Irish raider has already readily dismissed him the two times they have met. I can see him being seen off earlier than usual given he will surely try to race promiinently as always with the two front runners and finishing third, finally losing that record of always finishing in the first two.

4. Thistle Ask - 9YO - Dan & Harry Skelton

Had anyone at the start of the season suggested THISTLE ASK could possibly be in a Grade 1 two mile chase and be single figures, they would have been looked at like they had two heads. If they'd then have said it'd be this race, with Il Etait Temps and Jonbon - two of the three best two mile chasers around - they'd have been laughed off the course, but this new Skelton recruit's improvement has known no bounds this season.

He has risen a colossal 46lbs in the handicap this season alone since being bought out of James Ewart's yard for a measly £11,000 and the Skelons now have a horse well worth his place in this exalted company. He has won four races looking to barely break a sweat, with the Haldon Gold Cup and the Desert Orchid two big prizes to plunder for any horse and already in his locker from his last two runs.

It is unusual to see one rise so rapidly through the ranks but just as it is rare, it is also dangerous to attempt to put a lid on their ability. The races he has won a stick with which some have beat him is the fact he has been able to bag an easy lead, but that will not be the case on Saturday given Gidleigh Park is in the field. Jonbon, too, can lead if necessary so there will be no hiding place for Thistle Ask if he has been slightly flattered in the past. I don't think he'll be beaten out of sight, but I do see him bringing home the rear in this classy field and the winning run coming to an end.