LK Bennett Clarence House Chase preview: Energumene and Edwarstone clash still on
The former will be looking to build on his near faultless record over fences for Willie Mullins, with his only defeat in nine chase starts coming at the hands of Shishkin in a memorable finish to this race 12 months ago.
The Champion Chase winner arrives at the top of his game after a 15-length victory in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in early December.
Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “Energumene is in great form and has come out of Cork really well. Imran [Haider], who rides him out and looks after him, is delighted with him, so it is all systems go for Ascot.
“It is shaping up to be a great race with Edwardstone in there as well. He is last season’s Arkle winner and I was blown away by his performance in the Tingle Creek. It should be a proper race, just like last year.
“We had a good, hard race in defeat last year but it did not dent our chances in the Champion Chase and we are following the same route again this season.”
Edwardstone was the standout performer in last season’s two-mile novice division, winning five races on the spin culminating in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.
The nine-year-old enhanced his reputation with an emphatic nine-length victory in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in early December, although he suffered a blip last time out when unseating Tom Cannon in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.
Trainer Alan King said: “Edwardstone has been 100 per cent since Kempton. He was very fresh beforehand even though it was only three weeks between there and Sandown. You are trying to do enough without overdoing them, and he’s just charged into it slightly.
“Normally, Tom and him get on so well, but it wasn’t to be that day. As you saw afterwards, he popped away and jumped around there loose very well. Let’s hope it was a one-off. He was A1 the following morning. He has had a couple of schools since and everyone is very happy with him.
“I don’t think Ascot will be a problem. We have always thought he is a horse that would get further if we wanted to and he was placed over hurdles at two and a half. I am not worried too much about the track. He is fairly adaptable and has won around all sorts of tracks really.”
On the prospect of taking on Energumene, King added: “This is what we do it for, isn’t it? That is why I got hooked on racing as a kid – some of those great battles. Grade One races should be like that. It is what racing is all about.
“At least Energumene will be favourite. That takes a little bit of the pressure off, doesn’t it? Look, I can only worry about my horse really and try and get him there in top form and see what happens. It could be a real spectacle.”
Amarillo Sky has won valuable handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury so far this season but will be the outsider of three on Saturday.
The horses taken out on Monday were Fugitif, Funambule Sivola, Messire des Obeaux, Minella Drama and Sizing Pottsie.
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCareon 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
