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It's on! Jonbon and Energumene declared for Clarence House showdown at Ascot on Saturday

Engergume (left) and Jonbon are set to meet for the first time at Ascot on Saturday
Engergume (left) and Jonbon are set to meet for the first time at Ascot on Saturday

A superstar Saturday showdown between Jonbon and Energumene has got the go-ahead, with the pair among four declarations for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase (3.32) at Ascot.

Jonbon is favourite as he bids for a ninth Grade 1 success after extending his unbeaten record this season to two with an eight-length romp in the Tingle Creek. 

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old is out to avenge his shock defeat in this race 12 months ago, when beaten at 1-4 by Elixir De Nutz when the race was moved to Cheltenham.

Two-time Champion Chase hero Energumene is also out to go one better in the Clarence House having gone down to Jonbon's stablemate Shishkin in a 2022 thriller. He missed last season through injury but made a stylish comeback when winning the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December. 

He will bid to give Willie Mullins a first Grade 1 winner in Britain this season with stable jockey Paul Townend to take the ride. He was successful on his last stint to Britain over Christmas, winning the King George on Banbridge.

Kargese: returns at Ascot on Saturday
Kargese: returns at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The opposition has been reduced by two with Libberty Hunter and Unexpected Party not declared but Boothill and Edwardstone will bid for an upset.

The latter will be taking on Jonbon for a sixth time and is searching for a first success for Alan King. He was narrowly behind Boothill in third when Jonbon landed the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November.

It will be a big afternoon for Henderson as Triumph Hurdle ante-post favourite Lulamba makes his highly anticipated stable debut in the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle (12.30). The four-year-old made a huge impression when an easy winner at Auteuil in October and has been snapped up by connections of Sir Gino.

Team Mullins also unleash leading Cheltenham Festival contender Kargese at Ascot in the BetMGM Mares' Hurdle (1.40). It will be a first start for last season's Triumph Hurdle runner-up since May and she will be bidding to strengthen claims for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Her opposition includes Punchestown Festival winner Casa No Mento and the consistent Take No Chances.


Confirmed runners and riders for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase 

Boothill Bryan Carver
Edwardstone Tom Cannon
Energumene Paul Townend
Jonbon Nico de Boinville


Read these next:

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'A win on Saturday will see his odds shorten further' - the recent big Cheltenham Festival market movers 

The epic Shishkin v Energumene duel: a day when it was good to have shares in goosebumps 


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West Country correspondent

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