The recent arctic chill that had plagued the country and the sport of horse racing had mercifully subsided just in time for a high quality race meeting at Ascot. With the Cheltenham Festival looming larger by the day, Ascot hosted its Grade One Clarence House Chase meeting, with the feature race hosting plenty of exceptional memories and drama. With the let up in the weather, stables up and down the country will be eager to make up for lost time with their horses and there would be plenty of competitive and large field sizes. This would be the first running of the meeting at Ascot since 2022 as frost took its toll on the course which led to the abandonment in 2023 and 2024. The meeting would also form the middle leg of the new look Winter Millions Festival, a valuable weekend of racing which takes place in conjunction with the nearby Windsor.

Race One: The BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle - Class Three - Two Miles - 4-Y-O Only - Runners: 7

The afternoon's action would kick off with an intriguing event for juvenile hurdlers. The youngsters are still in the infancy of their National Hunt careers and are still learning on the job. This two mile contest would see a mix of rising stars for leading stables as well as recruits from the flat sphere. 2020 saw Goshen make a winning debut over hurdles at the start of his glittering career, while the last renewal of this race saw Dan Skelton's newcomer Doctor Parnassus make an impressive first start over obstacles before pitching into top flight company. 

This year's renewal looked right up to scratch and the outcome of the race could have repercussions on future Grade One races. The race would provide the eagerly awaited UK debut of Lulamba, trained by Nicky Henderson. After an impressive debut win in France, he was purchased for a hefty fee and was already at the head of the ante-post betting for the Triumph Hurdle. The most experienced in the field over hurdles would be the Anthony Charlton-trained Moutarde. Having started out in Ireland, the gelding signed off 2024 with a win at Taunton, his second win for the stable. The flat recruit Viyanni has a smart pedigree from the Aga Khan stud and after joining the Harry Derham stable, he made a smooth transition to hurdling by winning first time up at Market Rasen in November. The Nigel Twiston-Davies yard landed a Grade One over the Christmas period and would be represented by Ocean Conquest, a winner on the flat in Ireland and a well bred gelding. After missing a decent amount of time, he was pitched into a tough race on hurdling debut last month. Next up would be a fascinating runner, Mondo Man for the Gary & Josh Moore stable. The new recruit ran to a high level in France last season and would demand respect if taking to this new challenge. St Pancras would be a topically named winner for the area and made his debut over hurdles for Toby Lawes. The gelding improved for the step up in trip to win impressively at Southwell's all-weather track when last seen in action. Anthony Charlton would saddle a second runner here with Victory Shout, a son of Frankel who won twice last year on the flat and showed plenty of stamina. The final runner would be a newcomer for the James Owen stable, Wyld Bill. The grey had little chance to show his ability on the flat, but is a half brother to a hurdles winner. His new trainer has also made a brilliant start to this sphere in the past two seasons.

Winner: LULAMBA (Nirvana du Berlais x Ejland) (#1) - N. de Boinville - N. Henderson

There would be grey and overcast conditions over Ascot racecourse ahead of the first race as a chilling wind blew across the Heath. The underfoot conditions would be near perfect however, declared officially as "good, good to soft in places". There would be plenty of intrigued onlookers in the parade ring as the wraps were finally taken off Lulamba. With such a big reputation, he needed to deliver straight away.

As the race got underway, the immediate leader would be the previous winner Viyanni. The gelding would set no more than a casual pace as the field navigated the first two hurdles in the home straight, passing the crowd for the first time. The leader would be kept up to his work by Ocean Conquest, who dispute the lead under Sam Twiston-Davies while the hurdling newcomers Wyld Bill and St Pancras sat handy in the early stages. The odds-on favourite Lulamba sat in midfield alongside the hard pulling Mondo Man, who had previously been used to a much stronger gallop in the past. The experienced Moutarde would bring up the rear, but only a handful of lengths would cover the seven runners. As the group began to make the slight incline down the back straight, the race began to heat up. The recognisable Donnelly silks of Lulamba began to move forward approaching the final bend. Mondo Man was also allowed to stride on under Caoimhan Quinn and he too moved into contention as Ocean Conquest began to back-peddle. Approaching the second last fence, Viyanni bravely held on to a slender lead as he was flanked by the two French recruits. On his inside, Mondo Man jumped it well, but on the outside, Lulamba stylishly cruised past. Under a motionless Nico de Boinville, Lulamba arrived at the final hurdle with his nose in front. With a tidy jump, he would drift to his left, but kept forward momentum to pull clear. He would cross the line three lengths to the good and provided a noteworthy display. Mondo Man would produce a lot of promise on hurdling debut with second having raced very keenly for most of the race and Viyanni ran with credit to be rewarded with third. 

It would be a case of mission accomplished for Lulamba, who strengthened his position as favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. The gelding is a son of up and coming French stallion Nirvana du Berlais and out of a smart winning mare. His racecourse debut came at the biggest French track Auteuil for leading trainer Anthony Chaille-Chaille. After a wide margin success, he was soon bought by the Donnelly family who have become leading owners in British racing since the turn of the 2010's. Transferring to Nicky Henderson, he was given plenty of glowing reports on the gallops and looks set to be the next big talent at the yard following on from Sir Gino et al. 

Race Two: The BetMGM Handicap Chase - Class Three - Three Miles - Runners: 5

The first of the handicap contests would also be the longest event of the day. This class three handicap would see a tightly packed field on ratings and was poised to make an interesting spectacle. Last run in 2022, the race saw amateur owner-turned-rider David Maxwell galvanise Cat Tiger to win over Cobolobo in a thrilling finish.

Top weight would be carried by Annsam for the Evan Williams stable. The ten year old is a former course and distance winner at listed level and has added three more valuable prizes to his CV. The very popular Kitty's Light has been a mainstay in handicaps like this and Christian Williams's nine year old often comes into form in the second half of the season. A return to the form of past achievements would put in a class of his own. The Chris Gordon-trained Unanswered Prayers has developed into a progressive stayer this season and landed the Southern National at Fontwell in November. He would drop back in distance for this good prize. David Maxwell would attempt to make it back to back wins in this contest with his horse In d'Or, trained by Venetia Williams. The seven year old won with a little up his sleeve last time out. Completing the quintuplet of runners would be Henry Daly's Rockinastorm, who has won his fair share of races and would be another to arrive with a hat-trick attempt. The eight year old has been strong at the finish over this distance in similar contests. 

Winner: IN D'OR (Nidor x La Dauvilla) (#5) - Mr D. Maxwell - V. Williams

The already condensed field would be reduced further as the Rebecca Curtis-trained Pat's Fancy was a morning withdrawal. It would leave a field of five, but kept its competitiveness.

Rockinastorm would be keen to get on with things as the tapes dropped and he soon took up the running under David Bass. The in form runner would soon build up a handy gap of two lengths as Unanswered Prayers sat in his shadow, tracking him in second. As the field began to get strung out, they would start racing in solo. In d'Or was happy to sit back in third, while the remaining pair of Annsam and Kitty's Light brought up the rear. Beginning the second circuit and passing the point of departure, Rockinastorm began to increase the pace along the downhill section of the course. The order remained the same, but the field bunched up slightly approaching the home bend. In d'Or had blundered his way around the course, but travelled strongly in the Maxwell brown and red silks. As Unanswered Prayers was picked off, In d'Or went after the leader who began to tread on water. Jumping the second last together, In d'Or then surged clear of Rockinastorm with only the final fence in front of him. As punters held their breath, In d'Or produced a big leap and David Maxwell remained in the saddle before galloping on to a four length victory. Unanswered Prayers would finish a well held third with a further gap to Annsam and Kitty's Light.

It would be a popular success for In d'Or and his owner/rider David Maxwell. The amateur rider is now 46 years old but retains all of his enthusiasm for the sport by purchasing horses for himself. There have been times where punters have cursed Maxwell for failing to win in the past, but at this moment he was their friend. The formerly French-trained In d'Or arrived in Britain in 2023 and has quietly progressed. Venetia Williams's seven year old won on his chasing debut at Hereford in November, which also allowed David Maxwell to ride out his claim. Despite not being the most natural of jumpers, In d'Or is now two from two this year and has the scope to improve further. 

Race Three: The BetMGM Mares' Hurdle - Grade Two - Two Miles - Runners: 7
The first of the quality events would take place with this valuable mares hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles. Not only is the Grade Two a valuable prize money pot to the winner, but events like these can shape the future of National Hunt racing as the winner's profile will be boosted handsomely as a broodmare prospect. With Cheltenham approaching, this race also fits in nicely on the road to the Festival. First run in 2008, the first winner Labelthou has been followed by the likes of Sparky May, Vroum Vroum Mag and future Grand National runner up Magic Of Light. Last year's renewal was lost to the weather but transferred North to Doncaster, where the likeable Marie's Rock gained another black type victory. 

As expected for this Grade Two contest, there would be some high profile names on display as the road to the big festivals continued. The all conquering Willie Mullins stable would be represented by Kargese, who was making her first start of the season. The five year old won two Grade Ones last season as well as finishing second against the geldings at Cheltenham and Aintree. She would have to give weight away however and her rivals would be looking to take advantage. Nigel Twiston-Davies's Casa No Mento won a valuable handicap hurdle in May last year to cap off a progressive season. She has been below par so far this season and was last seen finishing fourth over fences. Dan Skelton would be represented by Take No Chances this year and his mare was very impressive at Wetherby in October before taking part at Grade One level on her next start. The up and coming trainer Ben Clarke would saddle Ooh Betty in this valuable race and the seven year old finished second to Golden Ace last season. This time around, she has picked up two more wins in handicap company and made a return to pattern company. Nicky Henderson would also be represented in this contest, courtesy of Pawapuri. The dual-purpose mare has arguably failed to live up to expectations, but won a listed race thirteen months ago. She would be another to need a lifetime best to win. The eldest runner in the field would be the eight year old All The Glory. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill's mare caused a surprise last season to win a Grade Two handicap at Newbury before losing form. She arrived here in good spirits once again having easily landed back to back handicap hurdle wins. The field would be completed by Brendas Asking, for the newly formed partnership of Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls. She has shown ability to win races at a much lower level, but this would be a totally different proposition.

Winner: TAKE NO CHANCES (Milan x Coscorrig) (#1) - K. Woods - D. Skelton

The pre-race talk may have been about Kargese, but the lineup saw five of the seven mares separated by six pounds on official ratings. Therefore, it wouldn't be a walk in the park for the hot favourite on her comeback run.

As the flag dropped to signify the start of the race, the early leader would be the keen-going Brendas Asking for the Bailey and Nichols yard. Racing second would be Ooh Betty as Pawapuri and Take No Chances came next. Another to race keenly behind a steady pace would be Kargese, prompting worrying moments for punters. The group would hack canter around the bottom of the course and back uphill towards the home bend with little change in the order. Kargese was nudged forward by Paul Townend to take up a closer position and Brendas Asking was soon headed by Ooh Betty on the home bend. The new leader attacked the second last hurdle with a good jump and Kargese was in hot pursuit. Take No Chances had been briefly caught flat footed on the bend, but still wasn't done with yet. The leading trio converged as one approaching the final hurdle, setting up a thrilling finish. Kargese stuck on well to the task with Ooh Betty flat out. Take No Chances was also hard at work, but she kept finding more for Kielan Woods. Take No Chances and Kargese would get close together, but it was Dan Skelton's mare who toughed it out the best and provided the stable with another win in this race for her yard. Kargese expended too much energy at the start, but returned a good second; ahead of the brave Ooh Betty back in third. Casa No Mento was never closer than at the finish by keeping on into fourth.

It would be a hard fought win for the seven year old Take No Chances, who had the difficult task of giving weight away to a Grade One winner. Dan Skelton's mare was kept on the go during 2024 and won back to back races in April and May as well as November more recently. After a third in the Silver Trophy Hurdle at Chepstow on seasonal comeback, she routed her rivals in a weak listed race at Wetherby. Three weeks later, she contested the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle where she wasn't disgraced in fifth. She arrived at Ascot on the back of a close up third at Cheltenham, a good weight carrying display again. This Grade Two success will look good on her broodmare profile, but in the near future a trip to Cheltenham for the Mares' Hurdle could be on the cards.

Race Four: The Bet365 Handicap Chase - Class Two - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners: 10

The warm up race for the big one would see another very competitive handicap, which also falls in nicely on the road to the Aintree and Cheltenham Festivals. There would be plenty of regular faces for this sort of event as well as numerous course specialists lining up for this valuable contest. The enigmatic Phoenix Way would land this race when it was last run in 2022, where he got the better of subsequent Grade One placed Fanion d'Estruval. 

There would be some high class and well known names in the lineup, which was headed by top weight Hitman. The Paul Nicholls-trained nine year old promised so much in his early career, but has continued to frustrate with a will of snatching defeat away from victory. He would be making a first start since the Old Roan at Aintree in October. Another classy contender would be the Venetia Williams-trained Martator. The eight year old has a great record at this track and bagged a brace of handicap chase wins in impressive style earlier this season. He then finished third in a Grade Two at Kempton over Christmas. The likeable story of Latenightpass has turned the twelve year old into a household name and having won over the National fences and Cross-Country fences, Tom Ellis's charge would be making a rare start over regular fences. The mare Terresita has shown herself to be very useful in recent years and Lucy Wadham's seven year old defeated some good types in a listed race on seasonal comeback in November. Her latest run saw her finish a good third over course and distance. Another course regular in the lineup would be Kotmask for the Gary and Josh Moore team. The chestnut has a good strike rate and in three starts at Ascot this season, he has finished in the podium spots; culminating with a win last time out in December over a slightly shorter trip. The Dan Skelton-trained Flegmatik has an affinity for Kempton and his last win came there exactly a year ago. Despite this, the ten year old has always retained plenty of quality about him and he has been seen regularly in premier handicap chases over the past two years. Kansas City Star would come next in the lineup for Harry Derham on the back of a win at Doncaster in November. The gelding looked more at home over this intermediate trip by gaining the upper hand close home. Joe Tizzard's Scarface is a former winner here in the past and ended a progressive novice chase campaign with victories in a pair of valuable contests at Sandown and Plumpton. This season, he appears to be coming into his peak following a close second to Kotmask here just before Christmas. the novice chaser Tedley lined up as the youngest runner in the race, but gained plenty of positives for his consistency. Nigel Twiston-Davies's six year old landed a pair of wins in the early weeks of the winter season and has since done little wrong with four placings recently. The Ben Pauling-trained Bad somehow has just the one win to his name, but has the talent for more. The six year old has finished second six times, including at this venue and this would be a nice race to break his seemingly cursed luck.

Winner: TERRESITA (Westerner x Brixen) (#4) - G. Sheehan - L. Wadham

The first of two ultra-competitive handicaps would get underway, this time over fences. There would plenty of jostling for an early prominent position as the group fanned five wide approaching the starter. Once the race got underway, the last time out winner Kansas City Star got away to the best start and took up a narrow lead coming to the first fence. One of those up with the early pace, Latenightpass, would get no further than the first as he stumbled on landing and ejected Gina Andrews from the saddle. The race soon settled down with Kansas City Star remaining in front, just ahead of Bad, Flegmatik and Hitman. The remaining runners stayed tightly bunched as the loose horse continued on his way, blissfully unaware he was a jockey light. On the second circuit, Kansas City Star was headed up front and quickly weakened away. It would leave Alice Stevens with no choice but to pull her mount up. At the bottom of the hill, Bad mad a bad mistake and fell. His chance was over, but thankfully he emerged unscathed. With a new order in effect, the race reached the critical stage of the home bend. Flegmatik and Hitman had always been on the scene and at the second last fence, the quirky Hitman took over the lead and went clear. It looked likely that he would break a long losing streak, but the tough mare Terresita was determined to bridge the gap. Having been held up throughout the race, she crept closer and emerged as a big threat at the final fence. With a brilliant jump, the tiny mare bolted up the run in to score by over four lengths. The talented yet frustrating Hitman had to come away with a second once again and Flegmatik returned to form with a third. Rounding out the first four would be Scarface, who was hindered by a faller midway through the race.

It would be a brilliant training performance by Lucy Wadham to get Terresita back to her best as the mare broke her jaw during the storms of November. With plenty of TLC, she made a full recovery and continued her upward rise. After winning twice at the start of 2024, the daughter of Westerner claimed notable scalps by winning a listed race on seasonal comeback at Carlisle. Thereafter, she would contest an identical event over course and distance, won by Gemirande; a subsequent winner at Cheltenham. A mare in form, it seems to be the case that nothing can stop her progress and connections will be looking forward for the rest of the year. 

Race Five: The BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle - Class Two - Two Miles, Three Furlongs - Runners: 11
One of the toughest betting heats of the afternoon would be this handicap hurdle over the middle distance of two and a quarter miles with eyes looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival. Once raced as a Grade Two contest, the race has its own collection of memories such as the hard as nails Lough Derg winning the first two runnings of this race back in 2008 and 2009. Another high class name of the jumps was successful in this race as future Hennessy Gold Cup winner Smad Place added this race to a bulging CV. The race was last run in 2022 and saw Harry and Dan Skelton combine to win with Unexpected Party, a wide margin winner on the day and subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner two years later.

The weights would be headed by the much loved Goshen, who made a return to action. The one of a kind character has gained his own fan club over the years, but the nine year old loves this venue having won a Grade Two hurdle in 2022. Gary & Josh Moore's quirky star finally won over fences when last seen, but reverted to his preferred hurdles. Next up would Bo Zenith, the first of three runners for Nicky Henderson. The six year old finished second at Grade One level before missing the whole of last season. He showed that he retained all his talent when third at Cheltenham on his recent comeback. The Fergal O'Brien team celebrated more high level success at this venue last month and saddled Kamsinas for this event. The eight year old won nicely on seasonal debut before ploughing through the mud at Haydock into fourth in November. The Harry Fry stable had plenty of options for this race, but opted to run Altobelli as the sole representative. He is another talented sort with two placed efforts in similar events over course and distance and the seven year old was given too much to do when finishing strongly at Doncaster last time out. A second runner for the Fergal O'Brien stable would be Stoner's Choice, who finished sixth in this race in 2022. He has yet to win since that year, but shown enough in two starts this season following a long break. The second runner for Nicky Henderson would be the nine year old Doddiethegreat. He was an exciting prospect two seasons ago, but following a poor showing at last year's Cheltenham Festival his form has gone the wrong way. He would need to bounce back here. Phillip Hobbs & Johnson White's mare Georgi Girl made a good start to this season at Warwick where she sprinted away from her rivals at a lower level and wasn't disgraced when a close up fifth at Cheltenham a month ago. Another six year old in the field would be Wilful for the Jonjo & AJ O'Neill stable. The novice has won three times by spectacular margins, but his winning run came to an end last time when trying handicap company for the first time. The mare Aston Martini held an engagement in the Grade Two contest, but trainer Nicky Henderson opted for this slightly easier task. She would produce her only bad run last time out at Newbury when never featuring. The Henry Daly-trained Bowenspark looked a bright hurdling prospect following a Grade Two fourth in a bumper at Aintree in 2023. Since then, his form has been mixed and was bogged down at Haydock last time out. Moveit Like Minnie is a talented sort and took well to fences at the start of the season by winning at Stratford. Since then, the eight year old ran out twice in a row over fences and reverted to hurdles last time out. He produced a much better showing when fourth here before Christmas. 

Winner: ALTOBELLI (Maxios x Atiana) - (#4) - B. Carver - H. Fry

The fourteen-strong field would be reduced by three as Nigel Twiston-Davies's Josh The Boss and the Gary & Josh Moore-trained duo of Spirit d'Aunou and Soigneux Bell were all pulled out ahead of the race. 

The remaining eleven would provide a deep and talented line up which saw little between the majority of runners. Just like in the preceding race, plenty of jockeys were keen to sit prominently which led to the field spreading out across the track. Stoner's Choice would hold just a narrow lead under Kielan Woods as Bowenspark disputed the lead on the wide outside of the pack. The keen goining Wilful opted for the inside route and the likes of Altobelli, Bo Zenith and Aston Martini were all smothered up in the pack. Passing the grandstands on the first tour, Kamsinas would also move up to dispute the overall lead as Georgi Girl was just a stride behind at the tail of the field. Making the rise from Swinley Bottom, the pace began to pick up. The keen going Wilful made up places along the inside and looked to be going well as he jumped the third last with a narrow advantage. The red cap of Altobelli was hard to spot in the bunch, but he soon emerged in contention as the likes of Stoner's Choice and Kamsinas began to weaken. At the rear of the field, it wasn't to be Goshen's day and he was soon pulled up once his chance had gone. Swinging around the home bend, the mare Aston Martini was the latest to challenge under young rider Freddie Gordon and she nosed ahead approaching the final hurdle. She would be joined by the strong finishing Altobelli, who finished strongest of all to win going away on the run-in. Aston Martini justified her race choice with a good second, with Moveit Like Minnie showing a better liking for hurdles with a staying on third. The novice Wilful weakened away into a solid fourth.

It would be a case of making amends for Altobelli, who lived up to some strong support in the betting market. The son of Maxios has always been classy ever since slamming the talented Ginny's Destiny on debut in a bumper. With two wide margin novice hurdle wins, he was considered good enough to contest a Grade One at the end of the 2022-23 season. He would then post good efforts when placed in a pair of handicap hurdles at Ascot at the end of 2023, but was then down the field in last year's Newbury Hurdle. Making a return following ten months off at Doncaster, Altobelli was held up over two miles and looked booked for fifth at the very best at the final hurdle. However, a strong surge on the run-in saw him run the winner close and prompted a step back up in trip. Now he has proven himself at this distance, it will certainly open up options later in the season for his in form trainer.

Race Six: The BetMGM Clarence House Chase - Grade One - Two Miles - Runners: 4

The feature race would see an all time classic line up for the first Grade One race in Britain for 2025. The Clarence House Chase has been a staple on the calendar since its first running in 1989, won by the much loved Desert Orchid. In its long history, Champion Chase winners Viking Flagship and Call Equiname can also call themselves former winners of the race. In more recent times, some of the greatest two mile chasers have picked up the prize, such as Altior, Sprinter Sacre, Master Minded and three time winner Un De Sceaux. 2022 would see an almighty battle on this course as Shishkin rallied late on to grab victory on the line. 2023 and 2024's runnings took place at Cheltenham and saw minor upsets take place as Editeur du Gite and Elixir du Nutz landed high profile victories.

2025 saw the race return to its usual home and the biggest names in the two mile division lined up in battle. Harry Fry's Boothill is no slouch and has won three times at Ascot in the past, albeit at handicap level. The ten year old made Jonbon pull out the stops at Cheltenham in November, but fell when ready to strike at Kempton last month. Eleven year old Edwardstone is a former Arkle, Tingle Creek and Game Spirit Chase winner for Alan King, but has often fallen short against the very best. He fell at the halfway stage in this season's Tingle Creek and then gave away two stone to the winner when finishing second in a handicap at Kempton's Christmas meeting. Energumene would return to the scene of his epic battle in 2022 where he led all the way until the line. Willie Mullins's star chaser landed the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2022 and 2023, but missed the entirety of last season with injury. He would make a very impressive return to action at Cork last month to set up a first time battle with Nicky Henderson's Jonbon. The mercurial nine year old has enjoyed a brilliant career to date, despite a shock reversal in last year's running at Cheltenham. The highest rated chaser in Britain lined up for this epic duel on the back of a classy success in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. 

Winner: JONBON (Walk In The Park x Star Face) (#4) - N. de Boinville - N. Henderson

It would be time for the talking to stop as an awesome foursome of two mile chasers lined up for this epic battle. As Jonbon, Edwardstone and Energumene took one last look at the fence before the start, their rides took slight glances at each other, trying to break their focus. 
The race would get away at the first attempt and any doubts of tactics would be dispelled as Jonbon and Energumene went straight to the front. Jumping the first, Energumene was more measured over it, but Jonbon had to reach for the fence, giving Nico de Boinville a slight worry. As the race began to unfurl, Jonbon would be sent into the lead with Energumene settling for the second and Edwardstone bringing up the rear with Boothill. The pace wouldn't be a rapid one throughout, but a sensible one. The temperature of the race began to rise at the bottom of the hill and Nico de Boinville started to increase the pressure on the leader Jonbon. He retained his two length advantage with some well timed jumps, but Energumene was also travelling just as strongly. The pair left Edwardstone and Boothill behind as the big two eyed up the second last. Jonbon began to uncoil and produced a beautiful leap, gaining a length in the air. It was then where the argument would be settled and the green and gold silks stretched away approaching the final fence. Jonbon would produce a spectacular leap at the final fence and bounded clear to win by over six lengths. Energumene had nothing left in second as Edwardstone won the race for best of the rest.

It would be an imperious display by Jonbon and one of his best ever. He first came to light as a £600,000 purchase by JP McManus following his point-to-point victory in 2021, but he has the pedigree to match as a full brother to the brilliant Douvan. Jonbon has climbed the ladder with ease and has sat at the top of the tree in this division for a long time now. With sixteen wins from nineteen starts under National Hunt racing, his only defeats came at the hands of Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novice Hurdle and El Fabiolo in the Arkle Chase. He would miss the Festival last season due to a well documented virus in the stable, but all systems are go for the elusive Cheltenham Festival win. There is no denying the quality of Jonbon as he is the living embodiment of a top class two mile chaser, possessing speed, quality and agility. It will be fascinating to see where he ranks against former greats such as Altior and Sprinter Sacre. It was a display to light up the gloom of Ascot. 

Race Seven: The BetMGM EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle - Class Three - Two Miles, Five Furlongs - Runners: 6

As the excitement of a dramatic Clarence House Chase lingered in the air and as the headlines were getting typed to print, there would be the small matter of the closing race on the card. Just like in the opener, the finale would be a glimpse of the future with a novice hurdle featuring some potentially smart types for the years ahead. The two and a half mile contest was won by Gary Moore's Jerrash in 2022. Although Jerrash went on to win over fences a few seasons later, those placed behind him achieved more. The trio of Complete Unknow, Galia des Liteaux and Monbeg Genius completed the frame that day but have all gone on to feature in high profile staying handicap chases recently.

With that being said, there would be plenty of notebooks open and ready to take note of this year's line up. The first of the last time out winners in the line up would be Lucy Wadham's Jax Junior, who showed the benefit of a wind operation to make all the running at Doncaster and win very easily. Laurens Bay has finished first or second in his five starts so far and Jamie Snowden's six year old landed his first win last time out. This would be a first attempt at this new trip. The Joe Tizzard-trained U Can't Be Serious ran in some competitive bumpers last season, including at Ascot, but had to wait for a first win. That would come over hurdles last time out at Taunton where he came home clear at the end of 2024. Another former winner between the flags would be Copper Jack, trained by Anthony Charlton. The six year old made a low key debut over hurdles and was well beaten in a stronger event over course and distance last time out. Jonjo & AJ O'Neill would saddle their talented yet slightly unlucky Country Park. The six year old finished second at Cheltenham two starts ago and travelled powerfully into a threatening position over course and distance last time, only to fall two hurdles out. This would be a good chance of gaining compensation. Minella Kaiser graduated from the John Nallen academy so should make a good longer term prospect. He could only manage a well beaten fourth on debut for Chris Gordon last month. 

Winner: JAX JUNIOR (Jack Hobbs x Double Storm) (#2) - T. Cannon - L. Wadham

There would be a buzz of excitement in the parade ring following the brilliance of Jonbon thirty minutes earlier, but the final race was still to come. The field would be reduced further as one of the leading contenders I'm A Lumberjack was pulled out of the race in the morning. 

It would leave a field of five to go to post with plenty of unknowns about the runners. Setting off from the furthest point away from the stands, the Lucy Wadham-trained Jax Junior set off into an early lead, now ridden by Tom Cannon. Fellow last time out winner U Cant Be Serious settled in second alongside Copper Jack as the pace would only be a steady one. The next pair would see the two fancied runners Country Park and Laurens Bay settle towards the rear and Minella Kaiser would sit and wait from the back. At the first hurdle in the home straight, Jax Junior would barely touch the top of the hurdle, giving it plenty of air in the process. He would be followed the those in the same order and there would be little complaints in the jumping department. On the second circuit, Jax Junior continued to enjoy himself in front and approached the home bend with a ten length lead. The contest soon developed into a race for second as Jax Junior once again ballooned over the hurdle. It didn't stop his momentum however and the six year old galloped on strongly away from the staying on Country Park. With a wide gap between himself and his rivals, Jax Junior needed a safe jump at the last and he was able to ease down to cross the line seventeen lengths to the good over Country Park, with a smaller gap to U Cant Be Serious in third. Short priced favourite Laurens Bay could only manage a well beaten fourth this time.

It may not have been the strongest to be ever held at Ascot, but these races still need winning. It was won very impressively by Jax Junior who provided a big meeting double for the Lucy Wadham yard. The son of Epsom Derby runner up / Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs, he was slightly inconsistent earlier in his career. Placing twice in bumpers, he would finish down the field on first hurdles start which prompted a wind operation. It would transform him however and he produced a similarly dominant all-the-way win at Doncaster in December. The six year old isn't bred to be top class, but he is turning into a very nice prospect for the future and will excel over fences, judging by some of his extravagant leaps.