Clarence House Chase Raceday Predictions

One of Ascot’s best meetings of the jumps season takes place on Saturday and it’s a cracking seven-race card.

It includes Grade 1 action via the Clarence House Chase as well as a Grade 2 and some competitive handicaps, kicking off at 12.30 and concluding at 4.02.

Here, we have previewed every race on the card and picked out a couple of value selections in the competitive handicaps.

12.30 - Juvenile Hurdle (Novices' Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier, 1m7½f)

A tricky opener to kick off the card, a juvenile contest with little form to go on. Those that have run over timber haven’t achieved an insurmountable standard and the one that might be worth siding with is MONDO MAN for the Moore team. He was a very smart performer on the Flat and was last seen in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris so he wouldn’t have to transfer all of his ability to hurdles to be competitive in this field.

Selection: Mondo Man @ 5/2

1.05 - Handicap Chase (3m)

This looks like a weak renewal of the race and the one that might be able to take advantage is IN D’OR. This lightly-raced chaser returned with a career-best success at Taunton in November and there’s every chance he’ll come on for that first run in 212 days. Venetia Williams does well with her chasers at Ascot and In D’or looks like the one to beat here.

Selection: In D’or @ SP

1.40 Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2, 1m7½f)

KARGESE looks like ‘banker of the day’ territory in the Mares’ Grade 2 on the card. She ran two crackers in defeat at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals before getting her head in front at Grade 1 level at Puncestown at the end of the campaign for her second Grade 1 juvenile win and she sets a solid standard for her rivals to aim at here.

Selection: Kargese @ 8/15

2.15 - Handicap Chase (2m5f)

It often pays to be on the front end at the Berkshire venue, particularly on the chase track and one that may be capable of obtaining an uncontested lead is KANSAS CITY STAR.

He made all of the running at Doncaster last time out and shaped like a step back up in trip could yield more improvement.

Selection: Kansas City Star @ 16/1

2.50 Holloway's Handicap Hurdle (2m3½f)

Plenty in with claims and it may be worth taking a chance on one at an each-way sort of price. The one that looks like good value at his current odds is ASTON MARTINI who is the second-string for Nicky Henderson but Freddie Gordon is good value for the 3lb he can claim. His return was highly promising when unlucky not to win and he was inconvenienced by a drop in trip last time out.

Selection: Aston Martini @ 12/1

3.32 - Clarence House Chase (Grade 1, 2m1f)

This looks like a good opportunity for JONBON to add another Grade 1 success to his résumé. His main rival, Energumene, probably isn’t the force of old, and he’s got the better of the other two (Boothill and Edwardstone) on several occasions, so he looks up to landing another renewal of this for Nicky Henderson.

Selection: Jonbon @ 8/13

4.02 - EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (2m5½f)

This can go the way of I’M A LUMBERJACK who took his form to a new level when bolting up at Warwick last time out. That was his first go at this sort of trip, so there should be more to come at this distance and he’s achieved more than the remainder of his rivals.

Selection: I’m A Lumberjack @ SP

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation