The Joe Tizzard-trained JPR One was the only horse not declared on Thursday, which means we are primed for a hugely-competitive four-horse race in Saturday’s 3:30 showpiece at Ascot - the Clarence House Chase.
Punters, trainers and fans alike we’ll get to see defending champion Jonbon renew rivalry with Il Etait Temps, who’s got the better of the 10-time Grade 1 winner on two separate occasions this season at Tingle Creek and in the Celebration Chase.
This is the jewel in the seven-race horse racing card at Ascot which also features the bet365 Handicap Chase and the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle.
The Clarence House Chase is one of the top early‑season two‑mile chases in the UK and Ireland calendar, usually attracting high-class chasers with grade 1 or two-mile chases preparing for races like the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Follow the latest betting odds for the day's major racing meet here.
What time is the Clarence House Chase at Ascot?
The Clarence House Chase 2026 is due to get underway at 15:30 GMT on Saturday 17 January. Here's all the key information in one place:
- Time: 15:30 GMT
- Date: 17 January 2026
- Venue: Ascot Racecourse
- Distance: 2 miles 1 furlong (2m 172y)
- Status: Grade 1 steeplechase
EXPLAINED: Win vs Each-Way Betting | What is a NAP? | Biggest January Events
Clarence House Chase Runners Guide
Il Était Temps — Trainer: Willie Mullins / Age: 8 / Odds: 8/13
Proven at Grade 1 with some outstanding at the highest level with multiple elite wins, including Tingle Creek and the Celebration Chase.
The grey is suited to a fast tempo, strong pace battles over the minimum chase trip and ground that doesn’t stall him. A real, hard-nosed two-mile specialist with tactical speed.
Jonbon — Trainer: Nicky Henderson / Age: 10 / Odds: 9/2
A proven record over top-flight fences, including previous wins in this race. But he is best suited to races with a steady tempo where he can track the leaders and use his experience to exploit any mistakes. All in all, Jonbon can be described as a gritty pace tracker with mile-speed and finishing strength.
Thistle Ask — Trainer: Dan Skelton / Age: 9 / Odds: 7/1
This is his first real test at the elite Grade 1 level, so despite showing some top form in Grade 2’s this where Thistle Ask can prove he can compete at the top level. He commonly races strong up front, with the ability to kick on, excelling when allowed to maintain a strong gallop, especially if he handles the class rise.
Gidleigh Park — Trainer: Harry Fry / Age: 8 / Odds: 15/2
He ran well in competitive company and has solid chasing form; performs best around two miles, where quick jumping and position can put you right in contention, but this is a real hike in class for the 8-year-old, who will need to go some to keep pace with the rest of the field.
Clarence House Chase Betting Odds
| Name | Odds |
| Il Etait Temps | 8/13 |
| Jonbon | 9/2 |
| Thistle Ask | 7/1 |
| Gidleigh Park | 15/2 |
Who is the favourite to win the Clarence House Chase?
Il Etait Temps is the 8/13 favourite (Paddy Power) to win the Clarence House after recent Grade 1 wins and form which has featured victories over Jonbon in the Tingle Creek and Celebration Chase both at Sandown this season. It will take a fully rejuvenated Jonbon to reverse that form here — the reigning champion is chalked up as the second favourite to retain the title.
Jonbon odds to win the 2026 Clarence House Chase
Jonbon is defending champion and hasn’t finished outside the top two in any of his outings this season, and things are unlikely to change here with the race tipped to be a head to head between Il Etait Temps and Jonbon yet again.
You can find Jonbon, with jockey Harry Cobden riding, to win the 2026 Clarence House Chase at 9/2 with Ladbrokes at the time of writing.
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Clarence House Chase prediction and tips: Who Will Win?
This year’s Clarence House Chase at Ascot is billed as the third-installment of the gripping battle between Il Etait Temps and Jonbon over fences. Jonbon may be the current champion, but must find a way of overcoming his nemesis, silencing some doubters along the way. The odds may swing to the Willie Mullins trained Il Etait Temps but it may not come easy this time.
The Verdict
1st - Il Était Temps
The Champion Chase favourite will head to Ascot with confidence flowing through his veins. Two big victories over Jonbon already this year, has him chalked up deservedly as favourite. Seven wins over fences in nine starts offers a glimpse at how this one could go. He can continue to showcase his supremacy ahead of Cheltenham.
2nd - Jonbon
JP McManus’ soon-to-be retained jockey Harry Cobden takes the seat for this hotly-anticipated Chase. Jonbon’s 18 wins from 25 starts is domination at its core. But with a pair of second places to start the season, could the extra competition from an arch-rival bring the best out of the 10-year-old?
3rd - Thistle Ask
If the top two favourites are busy fighting each other or slightly fall from their high standards, Thistle Ask has the capability to cause a big upset.
Since changing trainer in September to Harry Skelton, there’s been four straight victories, that came after winning his previous race in February. Happy to lead the charge, could Thistle Ask be a wire-to-wire winner?
Other contenders
Gidleigh Park makes up the final spot in the field on Saturday. He returns to the Berkshire track after finishing second to Jango Baie in the 1965 Chase in November. He also finished second to Impaire Et Passe in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last season.
Not a horse to be sniffed at, but the top two will take some beating.