Jonbon and Energumene are on course to meet in what Nicky Henderson expects to be a “big battle” for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase crown at Ascot on Saturday.
Henderson’s John Bon is looking to strengthen his position at the head of the betting in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham by adding to his already impressive number of Grade 1 victories.
In 19 starts for Seven Barrows, he has won 16 times, his only defeats coming to Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices, Il Fabiolo in the Arkell and Elixir De Nutz in this race when he was re-ranked for Cheltenham last season, when he almost went down on more than one occasion.
This will be the first meeting between Gunbon and Energomen trained by Willie Mullins, who won the Champion Chase in both 2022 and 2023 but was sidelined for the entirety of last season before returning with victory in Cork last month.
Henderson and Mullins tread familiar ground in the clash of stars, with Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth lining up for the pair respectively in a Christmas hurdle that proved to be one of the highlights of the festive period.
“This could be a big battle and that’s great for the game,” Henderson said. “Just like at Christmas, high-class horses are pitted against high-class horses. I hope this is a race that people can look forward to, and it should have a nice star.” Invoices.
“We’re looking forward to it and it’s all going well. At Tingle Creek the other day, the crowd really got behind him, which is nice. He deserves it. He’s been playing at the top table for a long time now, he’s used to being the next young money.” “
Energumene is no stranger to Ascot’s Clarence House Chase, having been fielded by Closutton’s Willie Mullins in 2022 when he went head-to-head with another Seven Barrows star, the late Shishkin.
The race is remembered as one of the best at Ascot in recent years, with Energumene falling so far down the line that Shishkin’s famous late surge proved too much for him.
Revenge awaited at Cheltenham, however, with Shishkin withdrawing early, Energomini won his first Chase championship with ease
“This was one of the greatest races ever and it was described as such and it lived up to that, which is fantastic. Well, it was fantastic for us, I don’t think Willie enjoyed it very much,” Henderson recalls. As we did, it went their way and eventually came back our way.
“Energumene was impressive on his return a few weeks ago, so it looks as if we’ll be doing a repeat performance, but it’s Junpun who he’ll have to do battle with.
“The interesting thing is that Junpun is very happy there (with the pace), they could go well, and it could be an attacking game! This could be preparing for another historic renewal.”
Old rivals Edwardston (Alan King) and Bothell (Harry Fry) are also in the mix, while a fascinating potential runner is Evan Williams’ Liberty Hunter.
The nine-year-old was second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and then third in the Grade 1 Novices’ Company at Aintree, but looked an improved horse when winning easily on his return.
Dan Skelton’s annual big winner Unexpected Party completes the list of six possibilities.
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