A FAB BATTLE
THERE are just four acceptors for Saturday’s Grade 1 Bet MGM Clarence House Chase in Ascot.
But we’re on course for the eagerly-awaited rematch between last season’s Arkle winner El Fabiolo and his immediate victim Jonbon.
It will be their third clash, Jonbon having beaten his rival in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree in April 2022.
The Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo impressed on his seasonal bow in the Hilly Way in Cork last month while Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon has triumphed twice this season, in the Schloer Chase at Cheltenham and Sandown’s Tingle Creek.
Completing Saturday’s line-up will be Elixir De Nutz and Unexpected Party.
Meanwhile, on the mark with Annalecka in Punchestown yesterday, Mark Fahey might strike for third time in five days with hat-trick-seeking Old Peculier in the Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap in Dundalk.
Old Peculier, successful over a mile and a half on the polytrack on Friday, is making a quick reappearance, dropping significantly in trip and set to carry top-weight of 10-5. Less Keithen Kennedy’s 7lb claim.
But the Aclaim gelding strikes me as a horse with plenty of gears who only does the bare minimum in his races and, on that basis, he’s expected to deny fellow hat-trick seeker, the Ado Mcguinnesstrained Comfort Line, up a total of 9lb for two recent course and distance wins.
Old Peculier went close against Oakley here in November before opening his account over 11 furlongs, beating Flier readily.
And, stepped-up in trip, he defied an 8lb higher mark when seeing off Palace Rock here on Friday, apparently idling in front.
Back to a mile today, he’s expected to come from off a strong pace and, if the race unfolds in his favour, he might deliver again under his mandatory 7lb penalty – he’s gone up 9lb for future handicaps.
Although an official mark of 91 probably flatters Andy Slattery’s Tarsus, the Kuroshio gelding sets the standard in today’s feature, the concluding Join Us On Instagram @ dundalk_stadium 3-Y-0 Race.
A 66/1 shot when landing a five furlong maiden here, he ran a cracker when beaten a half-length by the potentially smart Francis Meynell last time (for which his mark rocketed from 76 to its current level), with the speedy, 88-rated Moral Turpitude in third.
Cian Horgan’s 7lb claim will help the prospects of Tarsus in a competitive affair, in which Mint Man, despite a disappointing effort last time, Perfect Judgement, Manhattan Dreamer and the unexposed Ohailbhic all have realistic claims.
And Joseph O’brien, who won all three maidens on Friday’s card, holds a strong hand in the opener and might land the spoils with Gran Caballo, runner-up to Morning Logic over course and distance on his second start.