It’s El Fabiolo vs Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
The dress rehearsal for the Queen Mother Champion Chase has arrived with the Arkle 1-2 both standing their ground for the 2024 Clarence House Chase, sponsored by BetMGM.
The race echoes that of 2022 which again saw Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins do battle with Shishkin ultimately overcoming Energumene from the last.
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El Fabiolo vs Jonbon
With the Champion Chase market at 14/1 bar the pair, this is the ultimate showdown before the ultimate showdown in March at the Cheltenham Festival.
Opinions have been split with Jonbon boasting additional course form with his Shloer chase win, whilst also promising more convincing jumping.
El Fabiolo has a proclivity to make a mistake but has a longer run in up the Ascot hill. Questions will be answered on Saturday until new ones soon emerge.
2024 Clarence House Chase Odds
| Runner | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| El Fabiolo | 8/13 | 4/7 |
| Jonbon | 6/4 | 6/5 |
| Elixir De Nutz | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| Unexpected Party | 66/1 | 50/1 |
Who is the favourite to win the Clarence House Chase?
El Fabiolo is the marginal favourite with the bookmakers to win Ascot's Clarence House Chase on William Hill at odds of 4/7 (implied 63% chance).
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Champion Chase 2024 Cheltenham Odds
| Runner | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| El Fabiolo | EVENS | 8/11 |
| Jonbon | 11/4 | 9/4 |
Clarence House Chase Date & Start Time
Ascot’s £175,000 Grade 1 feature will be run on Saturday 20th January at 3.37pm and broadcast live on ITV alongside action from Haydock Park.
Clarence House Chase Entries
There are just four entries remaining for the 2024 Clarence House Chase, with outsiders Elixir De Nutz and Unexpected Party joining El Fabiolo and Jonbon in Saturday’s Grade 1 at Ascot.
El Fabiolo
Since being beaten by Jonbon on his 2nd start in the UK in Aintree’s Top Novices Hurdle, El Fabiolo has gone on an unbeaten run of six races which have seen him collect the Irish Arkle, the Arkle and Punchestown’s Barberstown Grade 1.
He reappeared in the Hilly Way Chase over December with an authoritative win over Gordon Elliott’s Fil Dor. Although he impressed, he did make notable jumping errors including at the 2nd fence and at the last - he must improve his jumping if he is to confirm his superiority over rival Jonbon.
Jonbon
Going into the season, many thought Jonbon was destined to be a Ryanair Chase contender as opposed to a Champion Chase contender come March.
Even Henderson said he had similar plans before Sandown’s Celebration Chase, before a trailblazing ride from the front saw him defeat Champion Chase 2nd Captain Guinness on quick ground.
He’s been ridden similarly in both starts this season, and his wins in the Shloer and Tingle Creek have been impressive enough to make many believe he can overturn the form with the Mullins horse. However, those he’s been beating haven’t been pillars of consistency themselves with Edwardstone blowing up in the Silviniaco Conti chase.
Clarence House Chase Tips
It is 1-1 in the head to head between the pair. Although Saturday’s race will put someone ahead, it will not be a final say with March’s showpiece the ultimate arbiter. From the home bend Ascot has 2½ furlongs to the finishing line, rising over eight metres over that distance.
Although that would arguably suit previous Ryanair hopeful Jonbon, I think it may suit El Fabiolo just as much. That extra bend to finish distance may just grant El Fabiolo time to gather himself or overcome any errors.
He is often most convincing from the bend onwards and hits the finishing line very strongly. The race is also 188 yards further than the Champion Chase. El Fabiolo is my tip to win on Saturday but the complexion may change come March.
