By Tony Calvin - 9 January 2026
Thankfully, none of the five in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase have an alternative option this week, though Il Etait Temps does have an entry in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase on February 1, for which he is currently the [10/3] second favourite behind evens poke Marine Nationale.
It seems unlikely that he will run in both – though only one person will know what the horse’s plans are, and he will be leaving both doors open until the last moment -but surely the Ascot option on Saturday looks too tempting to ignore, given he is set to face four inferior rivals for a 98k+ first-prize pot.
He is officially 6lb superior to Jonbon, who he has humped on the two occasions they have met, most recently in the Tingle Creek last month, so little wonder he is an [8/13] chance here.
Maybe it is only the lurking Leopardstown option that has stopped him being put in a lot shorter (he went off 8/11 when beating Jonbon by 9 lengths at Sandown).
I’ve just seen the next firm up go at [4/9], as at 3.40pm, and I imagine the others will trickle through now.
Jonbon is available at [9/2] and the up-and-comer Thistle Ask, up to a mark of 158 after starting his winning run off 108 at Musselburgh in February last year, has been put in at 11-2.
AKBets (as at 4.40pm, Tuesday) are : 8-15 Il Etait Temps, 7-2 Jonbon, 13-2 Thistle Ask, 7-1 Gidleigh Park, and 28-1 JPR One.
Thistle Ask is clearly the unknown given his phenomenal recent rate of progress, but he will have to take several leaps forward to match the favourite.
Gidleigh Park is 8s (from 10s) and JPR One 33s – but I posted this race assessment at 2.20pm on Monday and effectively only two firms had priced this up. Normally, the Grade 1 races are up pretty much immediately once the entries are known publicly by around 1pm.
There is an obvious lack of depth to this division, which is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that Il Etait Temps and Gidleigh Park are the youngsters in here as 8yos.
Will the favourite rock up?
The betting as at 12.30pm on Tuesday still sees him available at 8/13 in three places on the Oddschecker grid, but 8/15 is the general price.
As at 8.20pm on Tuesday, Ascot’s live rain gauge said they already had 14.6mm of rain today (presumably next-door Windsor is getting it too, but they haven’t got a gauge).
Ascot started the day as good to soft (though no going stick readings since last Friday) but, as you can see below, it could be heading towards heavy if it continues today and they get the 21mm the Norwegians currently predict on Thursday.
There are showers around for Wednesday and Friday, too.
Of course, forecasts can change quickly, and often do, but it looks a very wet week in store for Ascot.
As I mentioned down below, I am off to Prague for a few days early on Wednesday morning (any suggestions on where to go, welcomed), so I am going to take a time-out from horse racing until Monday next week.
And, by the way, the AKBets podcast will return on Monday afternoon (we are set for the normal 9.30am record, once again).
I have had a (not exhaustive, admittedly) look at the ITV races on Saturday, and my thoughts will show shortly below on Tuesday evening.
I’ll be looking to catch up on this fascinating tussle between two wildly promising novice hurdlers, Old Park Star and Hurricane Pat, priced up at 10/11 and 9/4 at the best odds available.
Hurricane Pat has to give his market rival 2lb but his proven ability in soft ground could come in very handy, looking at the forecast (currently 23mm on Thursday/Friday).
Dan Skelton has 9/4 chance Nurse Susan, 3s poke Take No Chance and 14s shot Supreme Malinas (certainly not a no-hoper) in this.
How will he shuffle that pack?
Anariza, Joyeuse, La Conquiere and Take No Chances have other options this week, so this could really cut up (as it usually does .- the numbers for this Grade 2 mares’ hurdle in its seven runnings since 2018 are : 5-6-4-4-5-5-7.
Then again, exceptionally cheap black type could be on offer (Anariza is rated just 114), so I imagine trainers will be decs-tracking on Thursday morning.
There is a supplementary stage by midday on Wednesday, which could possibly tempt someone with a 140+-rated mare, given the lack of depth in this race.
The betting is all around the place in this, to be honest – Nurse Susan is as short as 5/4 in places, and Joyeuse ranges from 3s to 6s.
One firm are betting 5/4, 11/3, 3s and 3s their first four in the betting, with the next three 7s, 8s and 10s.
Hugely defensive, buy maybe justifiably so given the highly unpredictable shape of this race.
Firstly, Iron Bridge is due to run at Wincanton on Thursday and Jacks Parrot won’t be eligible to run if Royale Pagaille does (as he will be 15lb out of the handicap – I think this new rule should be applied on a case-by-case basis, with connections having the right to state their argument as to why they should be allowed to run).
In addition, Aworkinprogress, My Silver Lining, Resplendent Grey and Doyen Quest could go elsewhere this week.
Furthermore, Grand Geste, Imperial Saint and Richmond Lake are also in the Great Yorkshire Chase on Jan 24.
Fugitif, Heltenham, Hitman, Issam, Jungle Boogie and Neon Moon are double entered.
Which explains why some bookmakers are effectively saying “go away and don’t come back until late Thursday morning” when pricing this up.
One outfit are actually going 3s, 4s, 5s, 5s, 6s, 6s, 7s and 8s the first eight in their betting.
Firstly, Loverdose and Rubber Ball are due to run at Wincanton on Thursday.
In addition, Lud’or (the favourite in most lists at between 4s and 5s but also in at Windsor on Sunday), Nab Wood (a general 7s poke), Phantomofthepoints, Samuel Spade and Spike Jones could go elsewhere.
With that in mind, Kyntara looks overpriced at 14s in a place and 12s in several spots.
He won’t mind the rain, he ran even better than initial impressions suggests off this mark at Cheltenham last time, and 3m around this tighter track could well suit this forward-goer.
Roc Dino and Scorpio Rising are not qualified.
In addition, Bowmore, Came From Nowhere, March d’Aligre, Metier, Milldam, Minella Missile, Patriotik, Samuel Spade, Surrey Lord and Wandering Ego could go elsewhere.
Little surprise then Faivoir has been cut from 8s to 6s today.
The 11yo has come down to a highly exploitable mark of 132 now, he handles heavy ground if that is required, and he has decent course form, too.
He is in the old Betfair Hurdle next month, but he is getting on a bit for that challenge maybe and this looks a decent opportunity for him.
——
There won’t be any ITV columns later this week as I am off to Prague early doors on Wednesday – though I may get an ante-post piece in today/Tuesday – but here is the current state of play at the five ITV tracks this week.
Be careful if you are thinking of betting ante-post on Friday’s ITV action, which some firms have priced up (I am not sure why, to be honest).
Remember, we (and the bookmakers) won’t have the often-crucial double entry information for the weekend until Monday afternoon (you have that now, so please check for double entries if tempted to bet on that day).-
You’ll feel a bit deflated if any horse you have backed for Friday’s racing has been given multiple engagements on Saturday/Sunday, too.
I’ll do Saturday’s double entries when the weekend runners appear later.
We don’t have any early-closers this week, so we are all starting from scratch.
——
There are five in Ascot’s 175k Grade 1 Clarence House Chase: Gidleigh Park, Il Etait Temps, Jonbon, JPR One and Thistle Ask.
The early betting – these are best prices so far – has Il Etait Temps at [8/13], Jonbon at [9/2], Thistle Ask 5s, Gidleigh Park 10s, and JPR One 25s.
There is a supplementary option for this race by midday on Wednesday, as is also the case with the Grade 2 mares’ hurdle on the Ascot card (there are eight entries for this race – they are Anariza, Joyeuse, La Conquiere, Nurse Susan, Ooh Betty, Sunset Marquesa, Supreme Malina and Take No Chances, with four of those rated 130 and below, with late entrant Anariza on a mark of 114).
Small fields are nothing new in this race though, and it is a failing/failed Grade 1 judged in numerical returns: the last 10 runnings have seen the following number of runners: 5-7-5-3-5-8-4-6-5-4.
Indeed, the numbers for the mares’ hurdle in its seven runnings since 2018 are : 5-6-4-4-5-5-7.
The entries at Haydock look very healthy though, with 15 in the Peter Marsh.
GOING
Chase: Soft, good to soft in places
Hurdle: Soft
Rails: 4 yards off the inside line around the winning post bend, 7 yards off the inside line around the marina bend.
Wednesdaya afternoon course update: 15mm of rain yesterday, 31.8mm of rain in the last 7 days. A sharp grass frost this morning, warming up quickly throughout the day with a gentle breeze, 9c by 11am. Showers are currently forecast throughout the afternoon tomorrow (8-12mm). Lows of 5c on Friday, warming up to around 10c for racing with a gentle breeze.
Weather (yr.no latest): 4.2mm Wednesday; 17mm Thursday; 2.8mm Friday
GOING: Good to Soft, soft in places
Wednesday morning course update: 25mm of rain on Friday. 4mm of rain on Saturday. 4mm of rain on Sunday. 7mm of rain on Tuesday. Slight ground frost to start the day on Wednesday, with temperatures set to rise to 5C. Staying dry. Thursday will see a dry start, before a wetter weather moves in for the afternoon and into the evening with 10-15mm forecast. Highs of 7C. Showers may continue into raceday morning until around 6am, before turning and remaining dry for the remainder of the day. Highs of 6C..
Weather (yr.no latest): 1mm Wednesday; 11mm Thursday; 5.2mm Friday
GOING: Good to soft, soft in places
Going stick: Chase: 4.7, Hurdle: 4.7. Soil Moisture: 41%; readings taken at 3.30pm on Friday 9th January
Wednesday afternoon morning course update: 14.5mm rain recorded on Tuesday. 33mm recorded over the past 7 days. Temp down to -1.4 this morning, today is dry until this evening when it turns showery. Rain/showers are forecast for Thursday (13 to 14mm predicted). Occasional showers now forecast for Friday. An odd light shower expected on Saturday. For access to our live weather station and for the latest Going info please go to www.ascot.com/thegoing
Weather (yr.no latest): 5.4mm Wednesday; 19mm Thursday
GOING: Good to soft, soft in places
Rails: Fresh ground provided on each bend. Shared east bend. Separate west bends.
Wednesday evening course update: 24mm January total. 6mm on Sunday. 5.2mm on Monday, 1.8mm Tuesday. This week is milder with light showers daily. Chance of rain has greatly reduced as rainband tracking south in the current forecast. Min 2°C. Max 8°C.
Weather (yr.no latest): 1.1mm Thursday, 0.5mm Friday (rain has largely disappeared)
GOING: Good to soft, soft in places
Wednesday afternoon course update: Cloudy. 20mm rain last Fri. 2mm rain Sun. 1.5 mm rain Tues afternoon, -1.5 degrees Tues night. Forecast: up to 15mm rain on Thursday then a few showers and staying frost free.
Weather (yr.no latest): 2.2mm Wednesday, 11mm Thursday; 1.8mm Friday
1.25pm Haydock: Crackerjacque, Great Fleet (due to run on Friday), La Conquiere, Lord Byron, Tom Jimmy, Wahraan
1.40pm Ascot (supplementary entry stage by Wednesday noon): Anariza, Joyeuse, La Conquiere, Take No Chances (due to run on Friday)
2pm Haydock: Aworkinprogress, Iron Bridge (due to run at Wincanton on Thursday), Jacks Parrot (won’t be eligible to run if Royale Pagaille does as he will be 15lb out of the handicap), My Silver Lining, Resplendent Grey, Doyen Quest
NB: Grand Geste, Imperial Saint and Richmond Lake are also in Great Yorkshire Chase on Jan 24
2.20pm Ascot: Fugitif, Heltenham, Hitman, Issam, Jungle Boogie, Neon Moon
2.35pm Haydock: Dalston Lad, Kap Boy, Loverdose (due to run at Wincanton on Thursday), Lud’or, Nab Wood, Phantomofthepoints, Rubber Ball (due to run at Wincanton on Thursday), Samuel Spade, Spike Jones
2.53pm Ascot: Bowmore, Came From Nowhere, March d’Aligre, Metier, Milldam (due to run on Friday), Minella Missile, Patriotik, Roc Dino (due to run at Fairyhouse on Thursday – didn’t look qualified anyway after just three runs), Samuel Spade, Scorpio Rising (looks like not qualified here, too), Surrey Lord, Wandering Ego
3,30pm Ascot (supplementary entry stage by Wednesday noon): NONE (though Il Etait Temps is in Dublin Chase on Feb 1)
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