Clarence House Chase Preview

Clarence House Chase Preview

The Clarence House Chase was first run in 1989, a renewal that saw historic grey Desert Orchid win in a hard-fought battle with Panto Prince, whilst carrying top weight of 12 stone due to the race’s then handicap status.

The most successful runner in the race’s history is the Willie Mullins trained superstar Un De Sceaux, winner of the race on three occasions (2016, 2017 and 2018). But it has been this side of the Irish Sea dominating the winners list as of late, with all renewals since Un De Sceaux’s last victory going the way of Britain, a trend the Alan King trained Edwardstone will be attempting to continue this weekend.

Edwardstone however, will have to do it the hard way if he is to achieve this, with reigning Champion Chase star Energumene also present in this incredibly high-class field.

Here is a runner-by-runner guide to this year’s exciting Clarence House Chase.

Energumene

The favourite for the rearranged Grade 1 this weekend is the Willie Mullins trained, and raining Champion Chase star Energumene. The already 4-time Grade 1 winner has been defeated just once over fences, when he was a close second behind Shishkin in last year’s renewal of the race, which for many was the race of the season.

This was however, a defeat he avenged shortly after, when he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Energumene followed up festival success at the Punchestown Festival a month on from his Cheltenham heroics, staking his claim as the dominant figure in the 2 Mile Chasing division.

His seasonal return in the Hilly Way Chase last December was nothing short of perfect, romping home to score a 15-length win, with a motionless Paul Townend on board.

Energumene is hoping to win the race he was so near to winning last season, but in doing so, he will have to take on a new set of rivals, with the most likely challenger coming in the form of Tingle Creek Winner Edwardstone.

Edwardstone

3-time Grade 1 winner Edwardstone was one of last season’s star novice chasers, winning both the Henry VIII and Arkle Novices’ Chase in superb fashion. His credentials however, took a serious step up following his commanding win in the Tingle Creek last December, putting his marker down as one of the best 2-mile chasers on this side of the Irish sea.

On his most recent run in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, he disappointingly unseated rider Tom Cannon at just the fifth fence. Nevertheless, he looks poised to challenge the Irish Champion at what is a rearranged Clarence House Chase this Saturday, with form suggesting he is more than capable of posing a real threat to the Irish star.

Editeur Du Gite

The Clarence House Chase is seemingly dominated by the top two in the market, with Energumene as the 1/2 favourite and Edwardstone as short as 7/4. That certainly does not mean however, there are no bigger priced chances, for also in the field is the Gary Moore trained 9-year-old Editeur Du Gite.

He was a winner of two handicaps at both Cheltenham’s November and December meetings last season, and a subsequent 4th in the Grand Annual at the Festival. Despite finishing last season rather disappointingly with a PU next to his name in the Marsh Chase at the Aintree festival, this season, he has been far from disappointing.

He finished third on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham in October, before going on to win the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, a race he won impressively by 13 lengths, with 3-time Grade 2 winner Nube Negra behind.

Funambule Sivola

The Venetia Williams trained Funambule Sivola is the first of the larger priced runners in the field. Despite the 8-year-olds omission of Grade 1 victories in the formbook, he has run mightily impressive in Grade 1 company in the past, finishing second in both the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase, as well as last year’s Champion Chase at the festival, whilst his last victory came in February of last year, when he won the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

This season however, his form has been comparatively disappointing, finishing last of 6 in the Tingle Creek, and a subsequent 4th of 5 finishers in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, in the race won by Editeur Du Gite.

If he is to return to form shown in the past however, do not be surprised if he is there or thereabouts when they turn for home this Saturday.

Amarillo Sky

The youngest runner in the field is the Joe Tizzard trained 7-year-old Amarillo Sky. Despite not winning in Graded company as of yet, Amarillo Sky has not put a hoof wrong this season, winning on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham last November, and then again just 15 days later at Newbury, where he stormed clear to win by 14 lengths in impressive style.

Whilst it is a substantial step up in Grade, his form this season suggests he is progressing well, more than earning him a shot at the big prize this Saturday.

Sizing Potsie

The David Pipe trained 9-year-old moved to the Pond House team from Jessica Harrington’s yard at the start of this season, and it didn’t take long for him to get off the mark for his new trainer, winning by 18 lengths in a Novice hurdle at Ayr on his first start for the Pipe team.

Previous form suggests he should be well within his right to be in this high-class field, winning a competitive Grade 2 just under a year ago at Navan. However, he been unable to win since his first start for the Pipe team, and has been comfortably outclassed in recent runs, finishing last of the 5 that finished in the Desert Orchid Chase last month.