BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

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Boothill^t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 160| CD

Unbeaten in 3 runs over C&D but his jumping has been letting him down since his latest success in November 2023. Held by Jonbon on his return at Cheltenham and fell for the third time in 5 starts at Kempton over Christmas (Edwardstone second). Up against it.

Form: 1FF4-2F

Edwardstone²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 163| D

Won the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury last season and still capable of high-class form, proving none the worse for his Tingle Creek fall when second under a big weight in 2m Grade 2 Kempton handicap at Christmas. 0-5 against Jonbon and surprising if he can take this on first ever start at Ascot.

Form: 1F3-3F2

Energumene⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: P Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 169| D

Top-class chaser who has won 11 of his 13 starts over fences, creating a good impression back from 20 months off when scoring at Cork last month, still 2 lengths ahead when left clear last as subsequent King George winner Banbridge unseated. Tactically versatile and poised for another big run.

Form: 11311/1

Jonbon⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 170| C

Top-class chaser who has won 11 of his 13 starts over fences, reappearing with a cosy success from a couple of these at Cheltenham before taking the Tingle Creek once again last month. That performance was among the best of his remarkably consistent career and he'll be hard to beat once more.

Form: 1211-11

Forecasts

Jonbon (4/6), Energumene (9/4), Edwardstone (8/1), Boothill (14/1)

A mouthwatering first clash between ENERGUMENE and Jonbon, who have won a remarkable 13 Grade 1 chases between them, and Energumene looks the one to side with at the prices. He missed last season but made a taking return at Cork, jumping well until late in the day and probably having Banbridge's measure when the subsequent King George winner unseated at the last. Likely to build on that, he can see off the remarkably consistent Jonbon, who ran to his best when landing a second Tingle Creek.