ITV Racing Preview: Will Politologue deliver in the Clarence House Chase?
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We look ahead to the pick of Saturday’s racing
Saturday’s racing is headlined by the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, with Politologue looking to fend off last year’s winner Defi Du Seuil and Waiting Patiently.
That will be live on ITV Racing, along with the best of the action from Ascot, Taunton and Haydock. We’ve scanned the form guides and previewed our pick of the races…
Ascot
13:15 Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade 2)
13:50 Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3)
15:00 Bet365 Handicap Steeple Chase
15:35 Clarence House Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
Taunton
14:15 Weatherbys Portman Cup Steeple Chase
Haydock
13:30 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 2)
14:40 The Peter Marsh Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
15:15 Champion Hurdle Trial Race (Grade 2)
Our man Tom Scudamore is very excited about the chances of Royale Pagaille here. The conditions shouldn’t pose a problem for the seven-year-old, who impressed with wins at Haydock and Kempton last month.
Sam Brown could also be one to watch as he steps up to three miles. He only lost out to Imperial Aura by three lengths at Carlisle and won on this track in Grade 2 company last year.
Sam’s Adventure could be of interest too, having bounced back from two underwhelming runs to win by four lengths here last time out.
The 2017 and 2018 Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air is set to make his return here, having not raced since injuring his hoof back in November 2019. After such a long absence, how will he fare on his comeback?
He’s only up against two other runners in this Grade 2 renewal. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyandy won this race last year and will look to take advantage if Nicky Henderson’s ten-year-old shows any rustiness.
Donald McCain’s Navajo Pass has also been declared, though he’ll likely need his rivals to disappoint to get the win.
Last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Politologue heads the betting here, with Harry Cobden replacing Harry Skelton in the saddle. Politologue started this campaign with a second Tingle Creek victory and will be looking to seal a sixth victory in this Grade One feature for Paul Nicholls.
Defi Du Seuil is also back to defend his title, though he comes into this on the back of two disappointing displays. He went into last year’s Champion Chase as favourite, only to finish fourth. He then pulled up in his last run at Cheltenham in November.
Waiting Patiently showed his class to finish second behind Frodon in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. That was his first run for a year and he’s looking in such good shape that Ruth Jefferson decided to supplement him here at a cost of £5,000, having not entered him initially.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
