Talks over moving Clarence House

THE BHA is in discussions over potentially re-scheduling the Clarence House Chase after tomorrow’s meeting at Ascot was abandoned with the course frozen. The Grade One two-mile chase had been due to see a blockbuster clash between El Fabiolo and Jonbon, the outstanding contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. On four occasions this century — 2005, 2013, 2017 and last year — the Clarence House Chase has been rearranged for next Saturday’s Trials Day at Cheltenham. Nicky Henderson has said he intends to run Jonbon there should that be the case again this term. Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, the Seven Barrows trainer said: ‘Last year the Clarence House was moved to Cheltenham and I think it would be very nice if it did (again). If it did, I’m pretty sure we would (run), as long as they don’t desecrate the prize-money. ‘I’d quite like Jonbon to go to Cheltenham to be honest with you, as he’s actually only been beaten twice in his life, once was in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by Constitution Hill and then by El Fabiolo last year in the Arkle. ‘That does not in any way indicate to me that he doesn’t like Cheltenham, but it would be nice to get a win behind him round there just to prove he’s as good a horse around Cheltenham — which I’m sure he is — as he is anywhere else. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go there.’ An inspection has also been called ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled meeting at Haydock, with officials set to check on conditions at 8am. Kirkland Tellwright, clerk of the course at Haydock, which is due to stage the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase, said the track needs a ‘miracle’ if the meeting is to go ahead. ‘We’ve not had a great day and the frost hasn’t even got off the running rail, so we are not looking great,’ he said yesterday afternoon.