Daryl Jacob offers his insight on the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday, while we have the Timeform predicted pace map and free video replays too.
BetMGM Clarence House Chase - 15.30 Ascot
Timeform Verdict
IL ETAIT TEMPS cemented his position as the leading 2m chaser with a smooth victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month and his hold-up style should be suited to the likely strong pace here. He should prove hard to beat. Thistle Ask has been a revelation this season and could be the one to provide the chief threat.
Daryl Jacob Insight
Just the four horses turn up for the Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday but it is a high-quality quartet and there’s certainly not a no hoper in the field.
There’s also pace on with Gidleigh Park and Thistle Ask in there and I do expect both to go forward. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up taking each other on too early and such a scenario would suit both Jonbon and IL ETAIT TEMPS.
Willie Mullins’ horse is odds-on favourite and he is the standard bearer in the division, and he should win again, but I don’t think it will be quite as easy as the market suggests as Jonbon could give him a much better race in this scenario.
For starters, Harry Cobden’s style should suit Jonbon. When he asks a horse to jump he really makes up their mind the way he digs his heels in, he’s got a lot of lower leg strength and that will suit Jonbon, as he’s a horse that races behind the bridle.
Nico de Boinville has done nothing wrong on this horse, but Cobden’s style might just inspire some improvement from Jonbon and, combined with how this looks likely to be run, I can see him closing the gap on Il Etait Temps.
Do I think he can beat him, though?
Hand on heart, I can’t. Il Etait Temps was so impressive in beating Jonbon at Sandown in the Tingle Creek, and while I think this might be harder work for him I do think his class will see him home in front.
I think he’ll have to dig in here, and it could be close, but the Mullins horse can prevail again.
Timeform Pace Prediction
Pace Forecast : Weak
Specific Pace Hint : IL ETAIT TEMPS has a decent chance at the weights and shouldn’t be inconvenienced by any pace scenario.
Individual Price Hint : IL ETAIT TEMPS has the form in the book he has traded on average in-running at 0.00% of his Betfair SP during his career to date.
Free Video Replays
IL ETAIT TEMPS & JONBON 06/12/2025
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THISTLE ASK 27/12/2025
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