Matchbook Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 17.72s

Capeland^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| BF| CD

25/1

Unlucky not to win first time out when carried out at the last but followed up emphatically over C&D next in another handicap. Disappointing in Grade 2 Desert Orchid at Kempton. Should be more effective here but third probably best he can aim for.

Form: 284-D14

Defi Du Seuil⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 166| D

11/10

Dual Grade 1 winning novice 2-2 this season including when winning Grade 1 Tingle Creek by a neck from Un De Sceaux. Disappointing in only prior start here over hurdles but that the only concern as he bids to confirm himself the leading 2 miler.

Form: 211-211

Janika^t1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 165| BF| D

8/1

Won the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter first time out before finishing 9L behind Defi Du Seuil (Un De Sceaux second) in the Tingle Creek. No real excuses there so looks likely to finish behind that pair again today.

Form: 224-144

Marracudja^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 143

66/1

Likable sort an emphatic winner of a Wetherby handicap last time but had been well beaten by Capeland the time before in a C&D handicap. On all known form he warrants his place as the rank outsider.

Form: 83-8551

Un De Sceaux⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 170| CD

11/10

10-time Grade 1 winner among the most popular horses in training. Showed he still has it when a neck second to Defi Du Seuil in the Tingle Creek. Won this in 2016, 2017 (at Cheltenham) and 2018 and could very easily turn the tables now.

Form: 11/25-12

Forecasts

Defi Du Seuil (11/10), Un De Sceaux (11/10), Janika (8/1), Capeland (25/1), Marracudja (66/1)

UN DE SCEAUX and Defi Du Seuil fought out one of the best finishes of the National Hunt season so far in the Tingle Creek at Sandown with Philip Hobbs emerging star getting the narrow success. As much as one would normally be naturally inclined towards the younger horse confirming the form the vote goes to Willie Mullins Irish raider due. He only has a neck to find and is 2-2 at Ascot having won this race in 2016 and 2018 (by 7L and 5L). This is his toughest task in the race so far but this genuine great of the turf gets the nod. Capeland runs well here and can prove best of the rest.