08 Jan Eight entered for Clarence House

Eight entries have been received for Ascot’s Sodexo Clarence House Chase on Saturday 23rd January.

With two former Queen Mother Champion Chase winners and last year’s Arkle hero all in the mix, the £125,000 Grade One contest is shaping up to be a quality renewal.

Sprinter Sacre, who has never won the race, is a possible. He used this event to return to action last season after his long lay-off and was second to subsequent Queen Mother winner Dodging Bullets.

Nicky Henderson’s pride and joy won for the second time this season over Christmas, beating another former champion Sire De Grugy, and the two could clash again.

Henderson could also run long-absent Captain Conan.

Sire De Grugy’s trainer Gary Moore feels the result at Kempton could have been different if his charge had jumped the last cleanly.

“If he hadn’t got in tight to the last it probably would have been a different result,” said Moore.

“He’ll come on again for that run, I’m sure, he improves with racing. He’s all set for the Clarence House.

“It can’t be soft enough for him so I hope it carries on raining.

“When we had Sprinter Sacre off the bridle I thought we had him beaten because all his winning had been done on the bridle. Fair play to him, though, as he showed he can also battle to win.”

Moore has also entered Traffic Fluide, a smart novice last term.

Willie Mullins’ Arkle winner Un De Sceaux is another with the Ascot option.

He was due to run in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown last month, but missed that and fell on his reappearance when odd-on favourite at Leopardstown. Mullins has also entered Felix Yonger.

Vibrato Valtat and Simply Ned, certainly no back-numbers, are the other two possibles.

Tickets for the Clarence House Chase Raceday are available from £23 in advance, with Fine Dining also available. For more information and to book tickets please click here

Saturday 23rd January, 2016
15:00: THE SODEXO CLARENCE HOUSE STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1)

Captain Conan; Nicky Henderson  

Felix Yonger; W. P. Mullins  

Simply Ned; Nicky Richards  

Sire de Grugy; Gary Moore  

Sprinter Sacre; Nicky Henderson  

Traffic Fluide; Gary Moore  

Un de Sceaux; W. P. Mullins  

Vibrato Valtat (FR)    Paul Nicholls