The Big Showdown at Ascot: El Fabiolo vs Jonbon

In Saturday’s highly anticipated BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot, only two brave contenders have dared to challenge the formidable duo of El Fabiolo and Jonbon. These two superstars, currently considered the best two-miler chasers in training, have dominated the scene for some time now.

Last March, they clashed in the Arkle where El Fabiolo emerged victorious under Willie Mullins’ guidance. However, let’s not forget their thrilling encounter over hurdles at Aintree two seasons ago when Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon narrowly claimed victory.

With impressive ratings of 172 for El Fabiolo and 170 for Jonbon, it comes as no surprise that very few are willing to take on these top-class competitors.

Elixir De Nutz Faces an Uphill Battle

Joe Tizzard has entered Elixir De Nutz into the race with hopes of challenging the dominant pair. The admirable ten-year-old gelding has already secured dual victories this year but faces a daunting task with a rating of just 156.

A Surprising Entry from Unexpected Party

Dan Skelton’s Unexpected Party is another entry in this clash of titans. With a rating of only141, many may question its chances against such fierce competition. Interestingly enough, this horse is also engaged in bet365 Handicap Chase – talk about multitasking!

Mares’ Hurdle Looks Promising

Nicky Henderson adds more firepower to his arsenal with the entry of Marie’s Rock, Tweed Skirt, and Theatre Glory in the BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle. These talented fillies are expected to give an exciting performance on race day.

Other Notable Entries

Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well and Dan Skelton’s West Balboa will also grace Ascot with their presence. Keep an eye out for these contenders as they might just surprise everyone with a stunning performance.

Weather Conditions – A Cause for Concern

The upcoming meeting at Ascot is not guaranteed to go ahead due to the current cold snap. The track has been draped entirely with fleece in preparation for a prolonged spell of freezing weather.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels remains uncertain about whether the event can proceed as planned. Freezing temperatures are expected throughout the week, reaching lows of minus three or four degrees Celsius at times. Conflicting forecasts make it challenging to predict what Saturday holds in store for us.

We’ll have to wait and see how this situation unfolds over the coming days before we can confirm if racing enthusiasts can witness this epic showdown between El Fabiolo and Jonbon!