Il Etait Temps Faces Jonbon in Clarence House Chase

The highly anticipated BetMGM Clarence House Chase takes place this afternoon, featuring a clash between Il Etait Temps and last year's winner Jonbon, live on Sky Sports Racing. Il Etait Temps, a superstar two-mile chaser, leads a small yet select field of four in this Grade 1 event at Ascot. Following a third-place finish in the 2024 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, Willie Mullins' grey has remained unbeaten, securing five consecutive wins, including four Grade 1 victories. His impressive display in the Tingle Creek last month, where he defeated Jonbon, positions him as a strong contender for this title. Il Etait Temps is expected to claim this win en route to the Champion Chase. Defending champion Jonbon boasts an unbeaten record in two appearances at the course and has never finished outside the top two in his career. However, his recent performances have been lackluster, suggesting that time may be catching up with him, and he may require a longer distance to excel. Fresh from being announced as JP McManus' retained jockey for next season, Harry Cobden replaces Nico de Boinville in the saddle. Gidleigh Park, trained by Harry Fry, is an intriguing contender, having impressed with his pace when winning the Lightning Novices' Chase on this weekend last year. He should be in the mix if he can build on his second-place finish in the 1965 Chase here last time. Thistle Ask has been a revelation since joining the Dan Skelton team, winning all four starts and rising a staggering 43lbs in the process. Although this is a significant step up, he remains a fascinating contender who will likely set the pace under Harry Skelton. The bet365 Handicap Chase at 2.20pm features a quality field, including Vincenzo, Bad, and Scarface. Vincenzo, trained by Sam Thomas, is a regular in these classy handicap chases, having finished runner-up in the Paddy Power and December Gold Cup this season. He warrants plenty of respect under Dylan Johnston, despite being nudged up 1lb for his latest display. Bad fell in this race last season but has plenty of placed form to his name, having finished behind Vincenzo in the Paddy Power. The handicapper may have his measure off this mark of 144. Scarface ran a notable race when chasing home Etalon at this course last month, and the extra distance should suit him. The Grade 2 BetMGM Warfield Mares' Hurdle features a super renewal, with Nurse Susan taking on La Conquiere. Dan Skelton's nine-year-old mare has bounced back to form this season, winning her last two starts in tenacious fashion. She now has six wins from 11 starts and appears to be the pick at the weights. Jamie Snowden saddles novice La Conquiere, who stretched her unbeaten run to two when comfortably landing a Listed event at Newbury in November. She rates a huge danger as she tackles open company for the first time. Joyeuse, winner of the William Hill Hurdle last year, failed to fire over fences before showing a little more when midfield in the valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot. She should not be discounted back against her own sex. Sunset Marquesa and Ooh Betty complete the quintet. The action begins at Lingfield, where the BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap headlines proceedings at 1.15pm. Morrophore, a previous Winter Oaks winner, heads the market with Ryan Moore in the plate. Sky Safari is also in situ for the Fanshawe stable, chasing a four-timer on reappearance. Lady Of Arabia arrives with strong recent form, whilst Tom Marquand and William Haggas team up with Wujjood. At Lingfield, Jungle Ruler and Factual are set to battle it out in the Bet £10 Get £40 With BetMGM Novice Stakes at 1.55pm. Pinatubo's Legacy will look to back up a winning debut the last day, whilst James Owen fields a duo of debutants in Bennyworth and Charles Darnay. Ascot kicks off with Winston Junior, the current ante-post favourite for the Fred Winter, taking his chance in the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle for Faye Bramley. He looks the class act here, but Brave Guest could trouble the judge having been second the last twice. Surrey Lord and Came From Nowhere are sure to be popular for the 2.53pm BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle, before Laguna Beach and The Burren Man face off in the 4.05pm BetMGM EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.