English/Ire
Jonbon to face five in Ascot Chase
Jonbon will take on five rivals as he seeks a twelfth Grade 1 success in Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase.
The Nicky Henderson-trained chaser, who is a general 8/15 chance with bookmakers after his Clarence House success at Ascot last month, will step up beyond two and a half miles for the first time in his career on Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether Jonbon will head to Cheltenham for a crack at the Ryanair after Ascot or bypass the Festival for a potential defense of his Melling Chase crown at Aintree.
Standing in his way this weekend is Paul Nicholls' dual Ascot Chase scorer Pic D'Orhy, who will look for a third success at the Berkshire track in the hands of Harry Cobden.
The Johnny de la Hey-owned eleven-year-old was pulled-up in the Celebration Chase at Sandown last season and has failed to score in two runs this campaign, finishing runner-up behind Djelo on his reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby before ultimately finishing well-held behind Jango Baie in the 1965 Chase over this weekend's course and distance.
Alan King's veteran Edwardstone will be looking to back-up his determined victory in the Silviniaco Conti Chase, while Blow Your Wad also features for Gary and Josh Moore.
Classic Maestro and Heltenham complete the line-up.
Away from Ascot, Jeremy Scott has revealed that Golden Ace will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after failing to feature in the four declarations for the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
The defection of the defending Champion Hurdle heroine will see Joe Tizzard's progressive six-year-old Alexei take on Paul Nicholls' reliable Grade 2 performer Rubaud, who was last seen finishing third behind Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Secret Squirrel and Intellotto round out the quartet.
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