15:35 Ascot

Saturday 23 January 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 18.48s

Bun Doran⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: T R George| OR: 154

80/1

Kempton Grade 2 winner last winter. Also third in Champion Chase in March but it was a substandard renewal of that race and he's been below par on both runs this term. Others more appealing.

Form: 21F3-75

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Defi Du Seuil⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 168| BF| CD

9/2

Landed this last year but he disappointed when odds-on for the Champion Chase in March and posted another lacklustre display on his reappearance. Top-class at best but something to prove for now.

Form: 21114-P

Duc Des Genievres^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159

18/1

2019 Arkle winner for Willie Mullins. Just about his best run since when second to Put The Kettle On in Cheltenham Grade 2 on reappearance/yard debut but not in same form when third at Kempton since.

Form: 82F5-23

Fanion D'estruval⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 154| D

10/1

Impressive on British debut last winter. Disappointed in Kempton Grade 2 next time but back on track when second in 2m Cheltenham handicap on return. Going well when falling 3 out in Grade 2 since.

Form: 1115-2F

First Flow²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 156| CD

14/1

Useful hurdler who has progressed into a smart chaser, making it 6 wins in last 8 starts when landing Castleford at Wetherby over Christmas. This asks a much bigger question of him, though.

Form: 2111-11

Le Patriote^b⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 146| C| D

100/1

Pair of novice chase wins this term but limitations over fences seemingly exposed when well-held third in Grade 2 in between and surely biting off more than he can chew in this company.

Form: 840-131

Politologue^t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 169| C| D

11/8

Dominated from the outset when back to very best to land Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March and returned to win a second Tingle Creek at Sandown last month. The one to beat if in similar mood.

Form: 22/251-1

Waiting Patiently^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 167| C

5/2

Impressive winner of 2½m Grade 1 here in 2018. Fine third in 2m Tingle Creek on sole run last term and underlined his versatility regards trip when fast-finishing second in 3m King George on return.

Form: 1U23/3-2

Forecasts

Politologue (11/8), Waiting Patiently (5/2), Defi Du Seuil (9/2), Fanion D'estruval (10/1), First Flow (14/1), Duc Des Genievres (18/1), Bun Doran (80/1), Le Patriote (100/1)

POLITOLOGUE is minus Harry Skelton, who has struck up such a good relationship with him, but he'll take plenty of stopping if in anything like the same form as when landing a second Tingle Creek last month. With doubts about the current form of Defi du Seuil the obvious threat is King George runner-up Waiting Patiently, who showed he has the speed for 2m when third in last season's Tingle Creek.