Il Etait Temps primed to see off small but select Ascot field

The team behind Il Etait Temps are full of hope but taking nothing for granted ahead of his bid for a sixth successive victory in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

The flying grey has not been beaten finishing third behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the 2024 Arkle at Cheltenham, rounding off his novice campaign with top-level wins at Aintree and Punchestown and subsequently returning from a year on the sidelines seemingly better than ever.

A comeback win over Jonbon in last year’s Celebration Chase pretty much sealed a first British title for Willie Mullins and after picking up where he left off on his first start of this season in the Clonmel Oil Chase, he again had last year’s Clarence House hero Jonbon chasing his shadow in the Tingle Creek last month.

Il Etait Temps is odds-on to confirm his superiority over Nicky Henderson’s charge and extend his winning streak on his first visit to Ascot, but Ross Doyle, racing manager for owners Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud, is respectful of the opposition.

“He’s a great horse, he owes us nothing and we’re going there positive,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great race and there’s certainly some good competition in there. It’s a Grade One and they’re hard to win, so fingers crossed we can have another great day out with him and he comes back safe and sound.

“The horse doesn’t know what’s expected of him and Paul (Townend) has got ice in his veins, so we’re very happy with the two of them heading there and Willie is very happy with him.

“He’s been a wonderful horse for the ownership group. Everything seems to have become very push-button with the horse, so fingers crossed that continues on Saturday.”

Jonbon claimed the ninth of his 10 Grade One victories to date when seeing off the Mullins-trained Energumene 12 months ago, but clearly has his work cut out to turn the tables on Il Etait Temps.

Harry Cobden, who was appointed this week as the new retained rider for JP McManus from next season, will get an early taste of partnering one of the leading owner’s star performers, with Nico de Boinville in action at Haydock instead.

Speaking in his Unibet blog, Henderson said: “I can’t really see any reason why he can reverse form with Il Etait Temps but he likes Ascot and thrives on his racing.

“Harry came in to school him over five fences on Wednesday which all went very well, and this race will probably tell us whether we stick to the two-mile route or go up in trip.”

Thistle Ask has enjoyed a remarkable first season for Dan and Harry Skelton, winning each of his four starts for his new connections including the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and the Desert Orchid at Kempton.

The nine-year-old’s rating has risen from 115 to 158 in that time, earning him a first shot at Grade One glory this weekend.

Harry Skelton said: “He’ll have to step up again, we never thought we would be in a Grade One with him, but he’s improved unbelievably and he’s in great form.

“He jumps and gallops and looks for the fences and is a great thrill to ride, but we’re taking on proper Grade One horses.

“He’s answered every question so far and has earned his place in the line-up, so we’ll see how we get on.”

The field is completed by Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park, who drops back to two miles for the first time since beating subsequent Cheltenham and Aintree winner Caldwell Potter in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor on this weekend a year ago.

Fry said: “We know the challenge ahead of us, but we’re looking forward to testing him against the best two-milers around and ground conditions should suit.

“He’s been in great form at home and schooled really well in the week, so it’s all systems go.

“He surprised a few people this time last year with what he did in the Lightning and I think he might surprise a few people on Saturday as well.

“We don’t know if we’re good enough yet to be taking on the likes of Il Etait Temps and Jonbon, and Thistle Ask has been hugely progressive as well, but although this is Gidleigh Park’s fifth start over fences, technically it’s only really his fourth start and I think there’s still plenty to come from him.

“I’m sure it will be a good, strong gallop which will also suit him in the conditions. He’s got a lot going for him.”