What to look out for this weekend with a view to Cheltenham - 'New pilot taking the ride' With the cold weather seemingly behind us, for now at least, the weekend racing programme across Britain and Ireland appears worry-free. There are major meetings at Ascot and Windsor as part of the Berkshire Winter Million, while Haydock, Navan and Thurles also boast quality jumps fare. We're looking ahead to see where the all-important Cheltenham Festival clues might be forthcoming this weekend. Jonbon and Il Etait Temps set for Ascot duel We've seen some cracking clashes in the Clarence House Chase in recent times, memorably Shishkin beating Energumene in 2022, and it's another Nicky Henderson vs Willie Mullins showdown on Saturday in the Grade 1 contest. Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite Il Etait Temps is making the trip to Ascot for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase (15:30) on Saturday, where he will face last season's winner, Jonbon. Jonbon has not won since this race 12 months ago and was no match for the grey in the Celebration Chase or Tingle Creek at Sandown, either side of their summer break. The Seven Barrows inmate will have a new pilot, with owner JP McManus's soon-to-be retained jockey Harry Cobden taking the ride as Nico de Boinville goes to Haydock instead. Festival winner Myretown goes for Peter Marsh Up on Merseyside, last year's runaway Ultima winner Myretown is one of seven declared for the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (14:00). The now Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore-trained Myretown was pulled up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on his seasonal comeback, having gone off the 4/1 favourite. The likes of the Rehearsal Chase and Rowland Meyrick winner Konfusion lead the opposition, while the 2021 and 2022 winner Royale Pagaille heads the weights for Venetia Williams. Both Myretown and Konfusion are entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Henderson sends Star to Haydock As noted, de Boinville heads to Haydock, where the main focus of attention for him will be on Old Park Star, who features in a field of six for the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (13:25). The Gordon & Su Hall-owned Old Park Star is two-from-two over hurdles and was most impressive when scoring at Cheltenham during their Christmas meeting last month as he careered away to win by 12 lengths. His rivals at Haydock include Hurricane Pat, Japetus and Tashkhan and Henderson will be hoping for a clear-cut success which would underline the credentials Old Park Star has for giving the veteran trainer a sixth career success in the Cheltenham Festival curtain raiser come Tuesday, March 10. Slade Steel and Wingmen set for Navan clash In Ireland, Saturday's card at Navan features an interesting clash between the Henry de Bromhead-trained Slade Steel and Gordon Elliott's Wingmen. The former won the Supreme at Cheltenham in 2024 but has endured his troubles since, missing almost a year off the track. He was second in his first three starts over fences before being brought down at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Wingmen was twice-placed in Grade 1 novice hurdles last season and was second to Final Demand at Navan in November on their respective chasing debuts, with that Willie Mullins inmate now the hot favourite for the three-mile Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Wingmen has perhaps been underwhelming in twice making the frame since, including when upped in trip and second to Mullins' Kaid D'authie at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. That rival had been second to stablemate Kitzbuhel at Punchestown in November on chasing bow, before the latter went to Kempton and won the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Christmas. Any Cotswolds ambitions for Slade Steel and Wingmen are potentially reliant on who comes out best in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase (14:25) over three miles at Navan.
