BetMGM Clarence House Chase
Grade 1, Ascot 15:30
£175,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 62y, Class 1  
Saturday 17th January 2026

BetPlay

1 Jonbon 6/1
2 Thistle Ask 9/1
4 ran Distances: 3l
Time: 4m 8.66s (slow by 4.36s)

Jonbon proved impossible to subdue as he brushed aside pre-race turmoil to land a memorable renewal.

Nicky Henderson’s stable star was set for a first partnership with Harry Cobden, soon to become JP McManus’ retained rider, but a fall for Cobden earlier on the card forced a swift change of plan. James Bowen was summoned as late deputy, stepping into the spotlight amid palpable tension.

Dan Skelton’s astute purchase Thistle Ask took them along from the front, with Irish raider Il Etait Temps, the 2-5 favourite, content to anchor the field early while Jonbon travelled with purpose in mid division.

By the time they swung for home, it had become a duel between Jonbon and Thistle Ask. Il Etait Temps, twice Jonbon’s conqueror in the Celebration Chase and Tingle Creek, met a weary fall when unable to land a challenge. Up front, Jonbon dug in relentlessly, wearing down Thistle Ask to assert by three lengths at 6-1.

The Ascot crowd roared Jonbon back into the winner’s enclosure, and there was further applause as Il Etait Temps rose after on-course treatment, a heartening sight after his tumble.

Henderson admitted afterwards that even Jonbon’s remarkable consistency had felt under threat.

“Dear old Jonbon, he is so very, very special. Stamina kicked in and that helped him, he stays, we know he stays,” said Henderson, who had endured an anxious wait before confirmation that Cobden could not take the ride.

“I was terrified he’d lose his record, let alone win. He should be proud of that record, but I thought it was up for grabs. I know JP just adores him and you can see why.

“It’s unfortunate for Harry, but it’s great for James, I’ve got to say that, they’ve met up once before at Cheltenham (when second in this race) two years ago and it didn’t go to plan.

“We always saddle him him in the stables, I think that was the first time I’ve saddled him in about five years, certainly since he’s been chasing, because we don’t saddle him up here.

“It was an end-to-end gallop, it seemed to test them all. James thought he was beaten three out, but he keeps going.

“He probably never changes gears, he was a very fast horse and now he’s not as fast as he was, but the stamina kicks in. He’s on older legs than those other guys, but he’s brave.”

Attention now turns to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, the one prize missing from a glittering record that now boasts 11 Grade One victories.

“That’s up for grabs, isn’t it?” Henderson said.

“I just think he’s been unlucky every time he’s been to Cheltenham and he has won there twice, he’s won the Shloer twice – not impressively, I admit, but that has always been his first run of the year.

“He deserves to run at Cheltenham, I’d love to be trying him over further but invariably things have just gone wrong.”

BetMGM Clarence House Chase
£175,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 62y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Jonbon 10 11-10 Nicky Henderson James Bowen 6/1
2 3 Thistle Ask 9 11-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 9/1
FELL Il Etait Temps 8 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 2/5F
PU Gidleigh Park 8 11-10 Harry Fry Bryan Carver 7/1