Clarence House Chase: Jonbon beats Energumene by six and a half lengths
Jonbon beat Energumene by six-and-a-half lengths to become the leader of the two-mile chase in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
It was the ninth Grade 1 win for the 8-13 favorite, who is trained by Nicky Henderson, following a run in December Historic victory at Tingle Creek.
This latest victory only strengthens Jon Bon as favorite for Cheltenham Queen Mother winner Chase.
Willie Mullins’ Energumene was beaten by Jonbon’s stabled Shishkin at Clarence House in 2022, while last year Jonbon was beaten badly when the race moved to Cheltenham In Elixir De Nutz.
Jockey Nico de Boisville ensured the defeat would not be repeated, allowing the nine-year-old to go the distance before pulling away from his archrival after the penultimate fence.
“What a horse,” Henderson told ITV Sport. “He was very fresh, almost too much. We weren’t planning on competing, but after (Jobon) came out of the gate, he (De Boisville) didn’t have a lot of options and was very keen to do it.
“Nico set out with one intention, it was a brave way and the right way. The horses loved it.”
Energumene finished second with a record of 9-4, while Edwardstone was third in the four-horse field ahead of Boothill.
