The current Champion Chase favourite Jonbon will be the star attraction at Ascot this Saturday as he continues his Cheltenham Festival preparation as the main Clarence House Chase runner in the race.
He could also face the 2022 runner-up Energumene, who is expected to travel over from the Willie Mullins yard.
Jonbon Looks To Make Amends For Clarence House Chase Defeat Last Season
12 months ago Jonbon was sent off as the1/4 favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK, but after not jumping well and almost falling at the fourth last – was turned over.
Elixir De Nuit was the horse that picked up the pieces that day and got his day in the sun.
Winning for the Joe Tizzard yard at 22/1 and also gave jockey Freddie Gingell his biggest success in the saddle.
However, since that mishap, Jonbon has bounced back to win his next four starts and despite having to miss the 2024 Festival, is back this season as the clear favourite to win for the first time at the Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Chase.
First up he’ll need to go well and win the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday if he’s to cement his place at the head of the market for the day two feature.
Saturday’s Ascot card is also the middle leg of the three-day Berkshire Winter Million.
Jonbon Last Seen Winning The Tingle Creek Chase
Jonbon was last seen romping away with the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in early December and prior to that this season also won the Sholer Chase at Cheltenham back in November.
Saturday’s Clarence House Chase run will also be Jonbon’s first run at Ascot over fences as last year’s renewal was rerouted to Cheltenham’s Trials Day card after getting called off.
However, Jonbon has won at the Berkshire track over hurdles in December 2021
Jonbon Career In Numbers
- Age: 9
- Chase Runs: 19
- Chase Wins: 16
- Grade One Chase Wins: 7
- Career Prize Money: ÂŁ1,015,315
Nicky Henderson Has Won The Clarence House Chase Six Times
The trainer of Jonbon, Nicky Henderson is also the winning-most horse racing handler in the Clarence House Chase.
Landing the prize six times over the years.
Henderson got off the mark in the Ascot race back in 1996 with Big Matt, while his last success was in 2022 with Shishkin, who had that titanic battle with Energumene.
A win for Jonbon on Saturday will also see him firm up in the Champion Chase market, where he’s already the Cheltenham favourite.
- Big Matt (1996)
- Isio (2004)
- Tysou (2006)
- Sprinter Sacre (2013)
- Altior (2019)
- Shishkin (2022)
Clarence House Chase 2025 Details
đź“…Date: Saturday 18th January 2025
⌚Time: 3:25pm
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
🔄Trip: 2m 1f
đź’·Winning Purse: ÂŁ98,473
đź“ş TV: ITV / Sky Sports
Who Are The Other 2025 Clarence House Chase Runners?
The final Clarence House Chase runners will be out on Thursday 16th January. But there is every chance the 2022 runner-up Energumene could come over from the Willie Mullins yard.
Energumene was the winner of the 2022 and 2023 Champion Chase and after having 593 days away from the track between April 23 and December 24. He returned with a top win in the Hilly Way at Cork (watch below).
The form of that race has also since been franked by King George VI Chase winner Banbridge, who was in the process of running a big race until unseating his jockey Richard Deegan at the last.
“I was talking to Willie [Mullins, trainer] on Sunday and he said all is good with Energumene. He’s been in great order since the Hilly Way. He’s been beaten in this race at Ascot and Cheltenham, so it might not be his favourite race but the timing is perfect between Cork and Cheltenham. Said Sean Graham (Tony Bloom Racing Manager).
If making the trip over, it will be the first time Energumene has met Jonbon.
Energumene Career In Numbers
- Age: 11
- Chase Runs: 13
- Chase Wins: 11
- Grade One Chase Wins: 6
- Career Prize Money: ÂŁ1,082,992
Edwardstone and Boothill Other Clarence House Chase Runners
Last year’s winner Elixir De Nutz, however, won’t be back as the Tizzard horse was sadly fatally injured in the Celebration Chase at Sandown last April.
Edwardstone, who fell in the Tingle Creek, and was also seen running second in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton over Christmas will also run in the race.
However, Jonbon and Edwardstone have met five times before and Jonbon has won each time.
Boothill, who ran second in the Shloer Chase is also an intended 2025 Clarence House Chase runner.
He’s another that is yet to finish ahead of Jonbon from three tries. The Harry Fry horse has also fallen in three of his last five starts so need to brush up his jumping.
Recent Cheltenham scorer Libberty Hunter and last season’s Grand Annual Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival Unexpected Party make up the possible Clarence House Chase runners for 2025.
2025 Clarence House Chase Runners Listed
- Boothill
- Edwardstone
- Energumene
- Jonbon
- Libberty Hunter
- Unexpected Party
Note: The final entries will be out on Thursday 16th January 2025
