“Double digits is insulting” – Owen’s 10/1 antepost tip for the Clarence House

Won by the likes of Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre, Sire de Grugy, Dodging Bullets and Altior, the Clarence House Chase is a race that always needs savouring!

A Grade 1 contest for the two-mile chasers, it usually gives us a good look at the Champion Chase candidates. This year will be no different, with the antepost favourite Politologue in attendance! We also have last years’ winner, Defi Du Seuil, trying to retain his crown in a fascinating race full of storylines.

I’ve taken a look through the early market and it’s set to be quite the spectacle. There’s plenty of each-way value to be had and I think I’ve found just the type to excel on Saturday. You can find all the details below!

Go with the Flow!

Winning six of his 10 starts over fences, Kim Bailey’s FIRST FLOW has done nothing but improve of late. He’ll arrive to the Clarence House on Saturday bidding for a remarkable six-timer, having won three handicaps and a pair of novice events.

He’s been victorious in both his starts this season, returning with a 2m 1f success in an Ascot handicap. Jumping poorly throughout, he found trouble in the straight before holding on gamely from a late challenger in the closing stages.

It’s very easy to upgrade that effort, given his poor jumping and the trouble he found. What really caught the eye was his change of gear when he found room, bursting between horse and surging to an unassailable lead.

Subsequently running at Wetherby over Christmas, he was conceding lumps of weights to his rivals in another handicap. He was giving away nearly two-stone to the eventual runner-up, again winning gamely after looking beaten for much of the straight.

His jumping has certainly left something to be desired this term, but he has a mighty engine and has a brilliant attitude. He won’t get away with those errors up in grade, but there can be hope those will be ironed out in time.

The biggest positive to his chances is the forecast rain throughout the week. Rain should be coming down on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, which will hopefully leave Ascot with heavy ground.

He excels on the surface and it would significantly heighten his chances if we do get the expected deluge. At 10/1, he looks significant each-way value, as double digits is simply insulting.

Clarence House Trends

• 9/10 – Rated 165 or higher
• 9/10 – Had won that season prior to the Clarence House
• 8/10 – Sent off favourite
• 6/10 – Aged seven of eight-years-old
• 5/10 – Ran in the Tingle Creek when last seen

The trends horse is Politologue, with the only one he doesn’t meet being the age requirement. Un De Sceaux won this as a ten-year-old in 2018, however, and the 169-rated Champion Chase favourite won the Tingle Creek when last seen.

Read more:

• “A mark of 142 looks lenient” – Matt Newman’s 3 Cheltenham handicappers to follow
• “11 titles don’t lie” – Paul Nicholls is Britain’s best National Hunt trainer, and here’s why