Clarence House Chase: Runner-By-Runner Guide

1 - BUN DORAN - Tom George/Sean Bowen

Kempton Grade 2 winner last winter. Also third in the 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 are more appealing.

2 - DEFI DU SEUIL - Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson

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 has something to prove for now.

Perfection! Defi Du Seuil bolts up to win the Grade 1 @TeamMatchbook Clarence House Chase at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/O9FCYWJcsd

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 18, 2020

3 - DUC DES GENIEVRES - Paul Nicholls/Daryl Jacob

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

4 - FANION D'ESTRUVAL - Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch

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

5 - FIRST FLOW - Kim Bailey/David Bass

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

Favourite, First Flow wins the @WilliamHill Castleford Handicap Chase after an incredible finish under David Bass. @kimbaileyracing the winning trainer. pic.twitter.com/golHj0LRQL

— Wetherby Racecourse (@WetherbyRaces) December 27, 2020

6 - LE PATRIOTE - Dr Richard Newlands/Charlie Hammond

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

7 - POLITOLOGUE - Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden

Dominated from the outset when back to his very best to land the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March and returned to win a second Tingle Creek at Sandown last month. Bold jumper who should again take plenty of beating. 

Two Grade 1’s for @harryskelton89 at @Sandownpark!

POLITOLOGUE wins a second #BetfairTingleCreek, leading home a 1-2 for @PFNicholls who saddles his 11th winner of the race 👏pic.twitter.com/Q2D5nl8C3o

— Timeform (@Timeform) December 5, 2020

8 - WAITING PATIENTLY - Ruth Jefferson/Brian Hughes

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

Who remembers this superb battle between Waiting Patiently and Cue Card in last year's @Betfair #Ascot Chase? #TBT #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/gb6qLdBtV7

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 24, 2019

Timeform Analyst's Verdict

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.

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