Weekend racing preview: North Yorkshire trainer seeks glory in Clarence House Chase

Norton handler Ruth Jefferson is chasing more Grade One success in Saturday’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot with stable star Waiting Patiently.
Action from Ascot. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty ImagesAction from Ascot. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Action from Ascot. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The £100,000 event is the feature contest on a competitive seven-race card at Ascot on Saturday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Politologue headlines the eight contenders for the two-mile event and comes into the race unbeaten in his last two starts. Winner of the Champion Chase at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, the 10-year-old returned to action with a smart success in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December. Proven at the track, he looks sure to give this a bold bid from the front.

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Waiting Patiently looks like being his main rival on paper having been supplemented for the race earlier this week. Talented, yet fragile, the 10-year-old produced a fine performance with a fast-finishing second in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. The drop back in trip will not pose an issue and he is also proven over on soft ground. Successful in the Ascot Chase over a longer trip, everything looks placed for a big effort at the track on Saturday.

The 2020 winner Defi Du Seuil also warrants consideration despite two poor runs since. He was only fourth when a warm favourite for the Champion Chase behind Politologue and was then pulled-up in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on his reappearance in November. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he can return to winning ways, but he has to show the fire still burns brightly.

Others to consider includes First Flow who has won his last five starts over fences. He has produced two gutsy efforts this season, including at Ascot on his reappearance. Trained by Kim Bailey, he was given an inspired ride to score at Wetherby during the Festive period and will be suited by testing conditions underfoot.

Fanion D’Estruval was travelling powerfully before falling at Cheltenham in the Peterborough Chase in December and is another who is suited by testing ground.

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Duc Des Genievres is a former Cheltenham Festival winner, but needs to improve on a third-placed effort in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December. The field is completed by Bun Doran and Le Patriote.

The other Graded race on the card is the Grade Two Mares’ Hurdle which features Magic Of Light for Jessica Harrington. She scored in Listed company over fences at Newbury last time out and is chasing a third straight win in this race. She makes plenty of appeal given her proven record at the track.

However, she does face a formidable rival in Roksana. The nine-year-old landed the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 and has been in fine form this season. Successful in Graded company at Wetherby in October, he was then a good third in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot last time out. That is arguably the best form on offer and she looks able to end of Magic Of Light’s winning run in this event.

Over at Haydock, two-time Champion Hurdle champion Buveur D'Air makes his eagerly awaited reappearance in the New One Hurdle. Off the track since sustaining a foot injury in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle 420 days ago, he takes on two rivals, recent Christmas Hurdle third Ballyandy and Musselburgh winner Navajo Pass.

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The other feature race at Haydock is the Peter Marsh Chase which features the highly progressive Royale Pagaille. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding is chasing a third straight win this season and was particularly impressive at Kempton on his latest start. He looks the one to beat.

ITV Racing selections from Betting Expert’s Stephen Harris

1:15: Ascot: Roksana

1:30: Haydock: Llandinabo Lad

1:50: Ascot: I K Brunel (NAP)

2:15: Taunton: If The Cap Fits

2:40: Haydock: Sam’s Adventure

3:00: Ascot: Good Boy Bobby

3:15: Haydock: Ballyandy

3:35: Ascot: First Flow

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert

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