Clarence House Chase: Energumene leads betting ahead of Edwardstone showdown

Energumene is 1/2 favourite in Coral’s Clarence House Chase betting odds after six runners were declared for Saturday’s rescheduled Grade One contest at Cheltenham.

Edwardstone is second in the betting at 2/1 while Editeur Du Gite is third at 10/1 having been added to the field earlier in the week.

Gary Moore’s charge put himself in the Champion Chase picture when causing a shock in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

Although not amongst the candidates for the Grade One contest at Ascot last Saturday, the nine-year-old has won twice at Prestbury Park and his record in Gloucestershire has seen connections part with £2,250 to add him to the field.

The big clash between Energumene and Edwardstone is still on as both appeared among the six runners.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Ascot’s loss is very much Cheltenham’s gain, with the rescheduled Clarence House Chase not only featuring the first two in the betting for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but the addition of Editeur Du Gite makes it even more mouth-watering.”

Energumene and Edwardstone were set to clash at the race’s traditional home of Ascot, but with the Berkshire track’s meeting falling victim to the latest cold snap last Saturday, the pair now get the chance to return to the scene of their greatest triumphs.

Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase
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Respective trainers Alan King and Willie Mullins were quick to state their intentions to line up in the rearranged contest and they have been joined by Joe Tizzard’s Amarillo Sky, who was the only other horse declared for Ascot.

Adding their names to the mix are Venetia Williams’ Funambule Sivola, who was second behind Energumene in the Champion Chase last March, and David Pipe’s Sizing Pottsie.

The Pond House handler admits his charge has a mountain to climb up against what appears the best of the two-mile division – but with an intended outing at Lingfield lost to the elements, is short of options and willing to take a chance in the hunt for the prize money on offer.

“We would have liked to have gone to Lingfield on Sunday but he is limited for options,” said Pipe.

“Obviously we will be a big price but it won’t be that big a field. It’ll be the plan to try and get as much (prize money) as we can.”

Although the original contest was short of runners, the two-mile Grade One was only reoffered to those still engaged at the six-day forfeit stage.

Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase betting odds

1/2 Energumene

2/1 Edwardstone

10/1 Editeur Du Gite

33/1 Funambule Sivola

40/1 Amarillo Sky

100/1 Sizing Pottsie

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All odds and market correct at date of publication