Get ready for an exciting day at Ascot! We're talking about the Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase, an event that's sure to spark some heated debates among racing enthusiasts. The battle between Il Etait Temps and Jonbon is set to be a highlight, but there's more to this race than meets the eye.
Il Etait Temps, the favorite for the Champion Chase, will be making the journey to Ascot, ready to renew its rivalry with Jonbon. This eight-year-old grey has proven its dominance in the Celebration Chase and Tingle Creek, but Jonbon isn't one to back down easily. With a perfect record of never finishing outside the top two positions, Jonbon will be a tough competitor. And here's where it gets interesting: Jonbon will have a new jockey, Harry Cobden, who is soon to be retained by JP McManus. Will this change in jockey make a difference?
But wait, there's more! Thistle Ask, an extraordinary horse with a remarkable winning streak of five consecutive victories, will be joining the fray. Rated at 158, this freewheeling front-runner has come a long way since its previous rating of 108. Now trained by Dan Skelton, Thistle Ask is a force to be reckoned with.
The four-runner field is completed by Gidleigh Park, which finished as a runner-up in the 1965 Chase. This horse has consistently performed well, including a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last season.
On the same card, Jeremy Scott and Lorcan Williams, the Champion Hurdle-winning team, will be teaming up with Came From Nowhere in the BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle. The seven-year-old, a smooth winner at Hereford last time, will face off against a field of nine, including some notable names like Tripoli Flyer, Faivoir, Metier, and Samuel Space.
And this is the part most people miss: at Haydock, Myretown, the runaway winner of last year's Ultima, will be one of the seven declared for the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase. This nine-year-old will be looking to get back on track after a fall in the Coral Gold Cup. Konfusion, the winner of the Rehearsal Chase and Rowland Meyrick, will be a tough opponent.
So, who do you think will come out on top in these thrilling races? The favorites or the underdogs? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! We'd love to hear your take on these exciting matchups.
