Il Etait Temps and Jonbon set for round three at Ascot

Il Etait Temps and Jonbon are set to lock horns for a third time in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

The pair are part of a select entry of five for the Grade One contest, won last year by the Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon.

However, the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps has proven to be a thorn in the side of the Seven Barrows runner, readily accounting for Jonbon in the Celebration Chase at Sandown at the end of last season and repeating that in the Tingle Creek in December.

The big two might not have it all their own way, with the remarkable Thistle Ask leading the opposition. The nine-year-old was rated just 115 after leaving James Ewart to join Dan Skelton last year, but he is now four from four for his current connections and big-race wins in the Haldon Gold Cup and the Desert Orchid Chase have earned him this step up to the highest level.

Gidleigh Park is an interesting contender for Harry Fry, dropping back to two miles for the first time since winning the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor on this weekend a year ago. The eight-year-old was last seen finishing second in Ascot’s 1965 Chase behind Jango Baie, who did that form no harm with an excellent effort in the King George on Boxing Day.

The potential field is completed by the Joe Tizzard-trained JPR One.