Clarence House cracker in prospect as Altior and Defi Du Seuil head entries
ALTIOR features among eight entries for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. The reigning champion chaser missed an intended engagement at Kempton over Christmas due to an abscess. But he is in line to defend his Clarence House Crown on 18 January – though he is likely to cross swords with Defi Du Seuil. Philip […]
ALTIOR features among eight entries for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
The reigning champion chaser missed an intended engagement at Kempton over Christmas due to an abscess.
But he is in line to defend his Clarence House Crown on 18 January – though he is likely to cross swords with Defi Du Seuil.
Philip Hobbs’ stable star is 2-2 this season and won a thrilling renewal of the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month.
Un De Sceaux was second in that race and he has been entered for the Ascot Grade 1, which he won three times between 2016 and 2018.
Henderson has also entered Haldon Gold Cup winner Janika, who finished fourth when favourite for the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has Capeland and Magic Saint in contention, Dan Skelton has entered Marracudja and Ruth Jefferson could saddle Waiting Patiently.
The nine-year-old ran an encouraging race on his return to two-miles when a running-on third in the Tingle Creek.
Jefferson said: “As long as they get some rain, the plan is to run at Ascot.
“He ran a very good race at Sandown and we’ve been very happy with him since. We weren’t afraid to come back to two miles on soft ground. I think a few people thought we were a bit mad, but I think he vindicated that decision.
“He’ll have sharpened up for it as it was his first run of the season and Defi Du Seuil had already had a run.
“It looks a good race, but there’s no such thing as an easy Grade 1 and we’re looking forward to it.”