Il Etait Temps and last year’s winner Jonbon clash in the latest renewal of the BetMGM Clarence House Chase this afternoon – live on Ski Sports Racing.
3.30 Ascot – The prolific Il Etait Temps stars at Clarence House
Superstar hunter at two miles It was about time titles a small but select field of four for this Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House at Ascot.
Willie Mullins’ gray is unbeaten since finishing third in the 2024 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham. He has taken an astonishing five wins on the trot, including four Grade 1s, and produced a huge display to see off Johnbon at Tingle Creek last month. That should claim it on the way to Chase Chase.
Defending champion Yongbon is undefeated in two appearances at the track and has yet to finish in the top two in all career starts. The last two times he was not at his best and maybe time is catching up with him, and these days he needs a little further. After being announced as JP McManus’ jockey for next season, Harry Cobden replaces Nico de Boinville.
Gidleigh Park is an interesting candidate for the Harry Fry yard. He impressed with his pace when winning the Lightning Novices’ Chase this weekend last year and should be in the mix if he can build on his second in the 1965 Chase here last time.
Thistle Ask has shown a revelation since Dan Skelton joined the team. He won all four of his starts and gained an incredible 43 pounds in the process. This is a huge step forward, but he remains a fascinating candidate who is likely to set the pace under Harry Skelton.
2.20 Ascot – Consistent Vincenzo takes on Bad and Scarface
Vincenzo, Bad and Scarface compete for quality release bet365 Handicap Chase at 2:20 p.m.
Thomas himself dressed Vincenzo is a regular in these classy handicap chases and finishes runner-up in the Paddy Power and December Gold Cup this season. He’s up 1lb for that latest display and warrants plenty of respect under Dylan Johnston.
Bad he fell in this race last season but is another who has plenty of placed form to his name. He was behind Vincenzo in the Paddy Power, and the handicap could be less than this mark of 144.
of the others, Scarface ran away when chasing the home Etalon on this course last month and this extra distance should suit, while Hitman returns in grade after third in Peterborough Chase.
1.40 Ascot – Sister Susan, La Conquiere and Joieuse clash
Super restoration of this grade 2 BetMGM Warfield Mares’ Hurdle where Sister Susan takes over La Conquiere.
Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old mare has returned to form this season winning her last two starts in emphatic fashion. She now has six wins from 11 starts and is looking up to the weights.
Jamie Snowden saddled up the rookies He conquers her who extended her unbeaten run to two when she comfortably landed the Listed event at Newbury in November. She assesses the enormous danger because she is dealing with an open society for the first time.
Joyfulwinner of the William Hill Hurdle last year, failed to fire over the fence before showing a bit more midfield in a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot. She should not be rejected by her own gender.
Sunset Marquise and Ooh Betty a complete quintet.
The best of the rest
We start the action from Lingfield, where it is BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies Handicap headlines at 1:15 p.m. Winner of previous Winter Oaks, trained at Gosden Morrophore leads the market with Ryan Moore at the plate. Ski Safari is also on the scene for Fanshawe’s barn, and chases the quadruple upon respawning. Lady Of Arabia arrives with strong recent form, while Tom Marquand and William Haggas team up with Vujjood.
Also in Lingfield, Ruler of the jungle and Factual are ready to fight in Bet £10 Get £40 with BetMGM Beginner Stakes at 1:55 p.m. Pinatubo’s Legacies will look to back up a winning debut on the final day, while James Owen will play a pair of debutants in Benniworth and Charles Darnay.
Ascot begins with Winston Junior – the current pre-post favorite for Fred Winter – taking his chance in the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle for Faye Bramley. He looks like a class here, but Brave Guest it can worry the judge that the last two times he was second.
Surrey Lord and Came out of nowhere sure to be popular for BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle at 14:53 before Laguna Beach and The Burren Man face at 16.05 BetMGM EBF “National Hunt” novice hurdles.