The two-mile Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday provides Sire De Grugy with a great opportunity to bag a second Grade 1 this season. Gary Moore’s chestnut won the Tingle Creek at Sandown in good style and has since followed up in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.
His victory in the latter was overshadowed by the unfortunate end to the winning run of Sprinter Sacre who was pulled up with an irregular heartbeat. Fortunately the signs are encouraging that this was an isolated episode and Nicky Henderson’s stable star could well return to action in time for Cheltenham. Of course, should the Lambourn trainer have any concerns about his horse, he will not hesitate to give the festival a miss and start afresh next season.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase must surely be on the agenda for Sire De Grugy with doubts surrounding the odds-on favourite. He was beaten at Cheltenham by Kid Cassidy earlier this season but I’m convinced that his defeat was down to his erratic jumping that day. He ballooned a couple and virtually pulled himself to the front before tiring in the closing stages.
Gary Moore believes that the course does not suit him and that he is a better horse on a flat track. Ascot should not pose any problems on Saturday and his jumping has been much better in his last two races. He had four lengths to spare over Somersby in the Tingle Creek and ought to confirm the form on the same terms. Any ease in the going will be in his favour although Somersby did win here in 2012 and will keep battling to the line.
Oiseau De Nuit finished second at Kempton but was possibly flattered by his proximity with Sire De Grugy going on much earlier than intended. The winner jumped to his left over the last three fences and was probably idling in front. Jamie Moore will be looking to get a good lead into the race on Saturday and deliver his challenge between the final two fences.
Strictly on the ratings, the Irish raiding party of Hidden Cyclone, Days Hotel and Special Tiara have 10lbs and more to find with the favourite. Hidden Cyclone finished in front of some top notch two-milers at Leopardstown last time out but he was previously well beaten in a Cheltenham handicap and needs to improve.
Kid Cassidy ran no race at all in Ireland and seems to reserve his best for Cheltenham. The one horse that concerns me slightly is the novice Fox Appeal. He won very easily at this course last time out from Raya Star although it is possible that the runner-up did not give his true running. Alan King’s horses have been under the weather of late.
Fox Appeal is undoubtedly useful having been slightly unlucky to be caught by Wonderful Charm at Wincanton on his previous start. Trainer Emma Lavelle did us a big favour when pitching the novice Shotgun Paddy against more experienced rivals last weekend and this fellow is no slouch either. Whether he is quite ready to take on Sire De Grugy at levels I’m not sure.
Sire De Grugy at 13-8 888Sport (6-4 Bet365)
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