15:35 Ascot

The Grade 1 LK Bennett Clarence House Chase on Saturday might be short on quantity but the quality cannot be disputed as the highly anticipated clash between last season’s Champion Chase winner Energumene and Tingle Creek hero Edwardstone is on for the first time whilst Amarillo Sky completes the trio for this year’s field. Here is my guide to this year’s renewal.

Clarence House Chase 2023 Runners

Energumene

  • Trainer: Willie Mullins
  • Jockey: Paul Townend
  • Odds: 8/11
  • Form: 112111

Ireland’s top two-mile chaser Energumene has a near flawless record over fences with his only defeat in this sphere coming in this race last season when narrowly denied by Shishkin in what turned to be an epic duel and one of the races of the season.

He was unbeaten in his first five starts over fences, which included a brace of Grade One successes at Leopardstown and Punchestown in his first season in this sphere. He then made a winning return in the Grade 2 Hilly Way at Cork before his narrow defeat in this last year to Shishkin, where he looked the most likeliest winner jumping the final fence, only to be worn down in the final couple of strides.

Following that first defeat over fences, he was again sent off second favourite to his old foe at Cheltenham but comprehensively reversed that form when he capitalised on that rival's no-show (who was pulled up) when landing the Champion Chase by eight-and-a-half lengths before beating stablemate multiple Grade 1 winner Chacun Pour Soi by that same distance in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown - his fourth Grade 1 over fences.

He returned at the top of his game when returning a 15-length winner of the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork in early December at short odds, winning that respective race for the second consecutive year. His jumping wasn’t as foot perfect as it has been previously but he will strip fitter and it is all systems go in his bid to go one better than he did last year before returning to Cheltenham to defend his title. He is a very special horse. 

He lost nothing in defeat in this 12 months ago and is versatile in regards to tactics, as he has demonstrated his class to win from the front as well as from off the pace. He is an excellent jumper, who has pace, gears and will take the world of beating here this weekend.

Edwardstone

  • Trainer: Alan King
  • Jockey: Tom Cannon
  • Odds: 6/4
  • Form: 11121U

The early season plans for Edwardstone might have been thwarted by the weather but patience was rewarded for his connections and supporters when he produced a career-best performance on his return in the Tingle Creek, where he blew the field apart to win by nine-lengths with last year’s winner Greaneteen well-held in second.

Unfortunately he got no further than the fifth fence in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas when sent off odds-on favourite but he is the sort of horse who can bounce back from a bump in the road and the gears he displayed at Sandown was exceptional.

The only uncertainty about his chances is the track, as he is unproven at the course. He won’t be allowed to make any mistakes here either with this track requiring accurate jumping plus it can also favour prominent runners and he is unlikely to have this race pan out perfectly for him like it did at Sandown.

This race wasn’t the initial plan as well, given he was expected to head to Newbury for the Game Spirit Chase after his early departure last time. Still, it is interesting to see connections take aim at this race beforehand and he is generally a good jumper as well, so it would be foolish to ignore his claims.

If he wins here, he will no doubt be favourite for the Champion Chase in March but he has a tough task on his hands. Firstly, not only does he need to prove he can handle these fences but secondly, prove he has the capabilities to beat a horse who has beaten everything put in front of him in this sphere to date.

Amarillo Sky

  • Trainer: Colin Tizzard
  • Jockey: Brendan Powell
  • Odds: 25/1
  • Form: F15611

Amarillo Sky has won his two starts this season in great style – albeit in handicap company, so this is a massive step up in grade. That said, the Tizzard team are never afraid to shy away from a challenge so it’s good to see this improving youngster line-up against the two Grade 1 winners.

He is officially rated 19lb lower than Edwardstone and an additional 6lb behind Energumene plus he was beaten by Brave Seasca on his sole previous chase start, which is well below the requirement at this level. He should run better than his odds suggest but would be a surprise winner should he beat the top two in the market.

Clarence House Chase Tips & Prediction

Despite only the three confirmations for this year’s line-up, hopefully the epic showdown between Willie Mullins’ Energumene and Alan King’s Edwardstone can come to fruition despite the meeting being under threat due to the weather. 

Tingle Creek winner Edwardstone will be looking to bounce back from his mishap last time and keep the prize on home soil but the fact that he has yet to race at Ascot and might not have the race go his way either swings the verdict in favour of the Willie Mullins-trained ENERGUMENE (best price 8/11).

The reigning Champion Chase winner and last season’s runner-up was mightily impressive on his seasonal reappearance when winning the Hilly Way for a second time and his experience of this course-and-distance plus his prominent style of running will suit him better than Alan King’s charge.

He has beaten everything that has been put in his path, his jumping is fluorescent and he can therefore land the feature race here.

Anyway, it should be a great spectacle for viewers and given the pair have been battling it out at the top of the ante-post market for the Champion Chase, we should have a clearer view as to who will head into Cheltenham as the favourite post-race this Saturday provided the meeting goes ahead.