Sceaux special if he lands win No 4
Records will be smashed today if the legendary UN DE SCEAUX (Ascot, 3.35) can complete a historic fourth victory in the Matchbook clarence House chase.
The 12- year- old has already achieved more than other luminaries such as sprinter sacre, Altior and Master Minded by completing a spectacular hat- trick in this afternoon’s feature.
An unprecedented fourth success would rightly confirm Un de sceaux as one of National Hunt racing’s all-time greats, and he would also be the first 12-year-old to win a jumps Grade one since Monet’s Garden achieved the feat in 2010.
standing in his way is the formidable presence of defi du seuil who resisted the selection’s advances by a neck in an enthralling renewal of the Tingle creek chase before christmas.
However, a switch to Ascot may play more to the strengths of Un de sceaux who is unbeaten in two starts at today’s venue and is likely to appreciate the forecast heavy ground more than his main rival.
Willie Mullins’ grand veteran, also unbeaten in all five career starts in January, was forced to concede the front-running role at sandown to the exuberant ornua whereas he can probably dominate his field today.
There have been a number of instances at Ascot in recent times where pace-setters have been hard to reel in once finding a rhythm at the head of affairs and followers of Un de sceaux will certainly hope he can establish an advantage and jump with more fluency than defi du seuil.
That was arguably the case at sandown where defi du seuil overcame one or two slovenly leaps to win and he may not be afforded the same luxury this afternoon.
THEBANNERKINGREBEL (Haydock,
nap, 2.05) may have a little to learn about jumping hurdles but there is little doubt he is a powerful galloper and a class act in the making. His experience of today’s venue may stand him in good stead in what appears a duel with the talented edwardstone.