Energumene and Edwardstone declared for Ascot clash Ascot officials will be praying Saturday’s meeting beats the cold snap after Champion Chase hero Energumene and Arkle victor Edwardstone were both declared for the LK Bennett Clarence House Chase. The Grade One contest is the centrepiece of a quality seven-race card that is subject to a 4pm inspection on Thursday due to the fact the course is currently frozen in places. The Willie Mullins-trained Energumene was narrowly beaten by Shishkin in a pulsating renewal of the Clarence House 12 months ago, but turned the tables to provide Mullins with a first Queen Mother Champion Chase success at the Cheltenham Festival. The nine-year-old crowned his campaign with victory at Punchestown and just as he did last season, he made a successful reappearance in Cork’s Hilly Way Chase last month. In Alan King’s Edwardstone, however, Energumene faces a new and formidable opponent. The Kayf Tara gelding was brilliant in winning last season’s Arkle at Cheltenham and after missing a couple of engagements due to unsuitable ground in the autumn, he successfully stepped out of novice company with a superb display in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. He unseated Tom Cannon at the fifth obstacle on his most recent outing in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, but was none the worse and completed the rest of the course riderless. The only other runner is Amarillo Sky from Joe Tizzard’s yard. The seven-year-old is two from two this season following handicap triumphs at Cheltenham and Newbury, but has 19lb to find with Edwardstone and 25lb to find with Energumene on official ratings. Amarillo Sky clearly has a mountain to climb, but will nevertheless pick up considerable prize-money if he can complete the course.
