Un De Sceaux spearheads Clarence House octet at Ascot

Last year's winner Un De Sceaux is among eight horses left in the Berkshire Community Foundation Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.The only withdrawal at the five-day confirmation stage was Nicky Henderson's exciting novice Altior, but a small but select field is promised for the Grade One over an extended two miles.Un De Sceaux, trained by Willie Mullins, defeated Sire De Grugy in this race 12 months ago and again had that same rival back in second place in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month.Sire De Grugy, who took the Clarence House honours in 2014, is one of two possibles from the Gary Moore stable along with Ar Mad.There is a second Irish-trained entry in the Henry de Bromhead-trained Special Tiara, winner of the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas.Dodging Bullets, successful in this race in 2015, represents Paul Nicholls, while the list is filled by Eastlake, Royal Regatta and Top Gamble.