The clash of the weekend and the first big clash of the new year as two horse-racing Titans go head-to-head.

Jonbon, the current 9/4 favourite for the Champion Chase, takes on the two-time Champion Chaser, Energumene.

Can Energumene go one place better than when run down late on by Shiskin in this race back in 2022, or will Jonbon have too much in the locker in his favoured conditions?

No matter the outcome, we are in for a clash of the ages.

Get the best odds for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase with the world’s leading online horse racing bookmakers here.

Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase

Now it’s time to take an in-depth look into runners of the Grade 2 Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.

4 Jonbon

• Age: 9
• Weight: 11st 10lb
• Form: 211-11
• Rating: 170
• Jockey: Nico de Boinville
• Trainer: Nicky Henderson
• Odds: 8/11

The great UK hope for the Champion Chase gets his first big test of the season when he faces Energumene.

As the clear favourite for the Champion Chase, Jonbon’s odds are reflected with that here.

People, including myself, question his credentials for the Champion Chase, but he looks to have perfect conditions today.

Racing right-handed, on a flat track, and on good to soft ground are the ideal conditions for the brother of Douvan.

Why does racing right-handed bring the best out of Jonbon?

If we look at his record, all of his worst displays and defeats have come when racing left-handed. For me, it’s clear that he is not as good at racing left-handed, and his performances back that up.

But today, he gets to go his preferred conditions, and even though I think Jonbon will be beaten in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, he shades it here.

Unbeaten racing right-handed
Flat track

Will need to be on his A-game

Star rating:

Bet on Jonbon with talkSPORT BET

3 Energumene

• Age: 11
• Weight: 11st 10lb
• Form: 1311/1
• Rating: 169
• Jockey: Paul Townend
• Trainer: Willie Mullins
• Odds: 9/4

The two-time Champion Chaser was making his comeback at Cork in the Hilly Way on the back of a 593-day break last month and will look to go one place better than he did in this race back in 2022.

Questions about whether the engine was still there after his time away from the rack were soon answered as he showed his old exuberance throughout.

Coming to the last, he was clear with the now King George VI Chase winner Branbridge, and just as Banbridge was making his challenge, he unseated Richey Deegan at the last.

Depending on who you ask, some will say Energumene would have held on, and others are convinced Banbridge would have gotten past him up the run-in.

Either way, it showed that Energumene still processed much of his ability, which led to him winning two Champion Chases.

The only real issue with Energumene here is whether the ground will be quick for him and whether he will be affected by the dreaded bounce.

Being a huge fan of Energumene, I fear that the ground will be too lively for him, and with him not getting any faster at his age, will the pace be too much on this ground?

Unfortunately, I think it will, and he may have to settle for second-best today.

But he may get his revenge at Cheltenham.

Two-time champion chaser
Made a winning return from injury

Ground may be too lively for him

Star rating:

Bet on Energumene with Sky Bet

2 Edwardstone

• Age: 11
• Weight: 11st 10lb
• Form: F3-3F2
• Rating: 163
• Jockey: Tom Cannon
• Trainer: Alan King
• Odds: 14/1

Edwardstone has been finding life difficult at the top table of late, and he showed that he is not operating at the same level as he used to when he was quite convincingly defeated in Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase over Christmas.

If he is to have a hand in the finish, he will need the top two to underperform here massively, and he has already finished behind Jonbon five times since November 2023.

Former Grade 1 winner

Not as good as he once was

Star rating:

Bet on Edwardstone with Paddy Power

1 Boothill

• Age: 10
• Weight: 11st 10lb
• Form: FF4-2F
• Rating: 160
• Jockey: Bryan Carver
• Trainer: Harry Fry
• Odds: 20/1

Having chased home Jonbon in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting, Boothills jumping issues again rose to the surface at Kempton.

Ever since his last win over course and distance in November 2023, he has lost a lot of his ability and confidence.

I have already said that Edwardstown will need the top two to underperform to get involved; Boothill will need all three to underperform here to get involved.

Got close to Jonbon at Cheltenham

Has fallen in three of his last five starts

Star rating:

Bet on Boothill with Midnite

Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase verdict

Many will not want to get involved in betting on this race, but if you remove the prices and use head-over-heart, I see only JONBON coming out on top here.

He is faultless when racing right-handed and may have enough in the locker to hold off the two-time Champion Chaser Energumene.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy two top-class chasers going head-to-head in a battle for the ages.

Current Betting: Jonbon 8/11, Energumene 9/4, Edwardstone 14/1, Boothill 20/1.

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