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Thursday’s racing round-up brings news of a potential big-race clash at Ascot next Saturday…
Energumene looks set to take on Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on December 21st after connections revealed Willie Mullins' gelding has come out of his reappearance success at Cork well. A six-time Grade 1 winner, featuring two triumphs in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, Energumene defied a 593-day absence when coming home ten lengths clear of his nearest pursuer in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork last weekend.
Dan and Harry Skelton enjoyed a successful day at Warwick on Wednesday, highlighted by Cherie D'Am's all-the-way victory in the feature Listed eventmasters.co.uk Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase. Cherie d'Am, who went off at 9-2 after finishing last of three on her chasing debut at Chepstow, jumped well for much of the two-and-a-half-mile contest. A sketchy landing after jumping the second last had some hearts in mouth, but she quickly reasserted her dominance up the run-in and went away to score by a commanding seven lengths from Telepathique. Jamie Snowden's odds-on favourite had to settle for the bronze medal position. "She was brilliant," the winning trainer told Racing TV. "I thought before the race there was going to be a lot of pace, so I said to Harry beforehand 'don't be another one to get involved in the row'. As it was You Wear It Well dropped in a bit and El Elefante took a lead, so Harry gave her a masterful ride, I thought." It proved to be a landmark day for Harry Skelton as he registered his 100th winner of the season on Mr Hope Street later on the card.
Hewick's King George VI Chase defence at Kempton on Boxing Day fully depends on there being good ground conditions. The nine-year-old flew home under Gavin Sheehan to get up late on for trainer Shark Hanlon at the Sunbury venue last season, but if he were to defend his crown at Kempton this Christmas, he would run under the name of Tara Lee Cogan whilst Hanlon serves his six-month suspension. Should conditions not be suitable at Kempton, Hewick could contest the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle as an alternative option.
Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm's Il Est Francais could still be in line to run in the King George VI Chase after the trainers reported him to be in "flying form" on Thursday. A sensational winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at the same meeting last season, Il Est Francais will need to bounce back from being pulled up in the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin last time out. A trip back to England looked in doubt, but after positive reports, the talented six-year-old may still yet make the voyage. "He is in flying form, he obviously disappointed the last time," George told Equidia. "He's very good, we're going to do a little gallop next week and it's going to tell us if we go. I feel like he's in top form and if things go well, we'll go."