Clarence House Chase switched to Cheltenham Trials Day

The British Horseracing Authority has announced that the Clarence House Chase has been rescheduled for Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day meeting next weekend.

Just like 12 months ago, Ascot's card on Saturday was frozen off but the Grade One highlight has been saved.

It was due to feature a heavyweight clash between Jonbon and El Fabiolo, but with the BHA confirming the race will be run for £105,00 (€123,000), a reduction in prize-money of £70,000 (€82,000), it appears El Fabiolo will stay closer to home.

Simon Munir, who owns El Fabiolo along with Isaac Souede, told Sportinglife.com: "Unfortunately, with Ascot cancelled due to the weather, the rearranged Clarence House will most probably take place next week on 27 January.

"We have decided that El Fabiolo could run at the Dublin Racing Festival on 4 February without the need to travel over to England."

The Clarence House has been called off three times in the last 11 years due to the weather, with Sprinter Sacre (2013), Un De Sceaux (2017) and Editeur Du Gite (2023) triumphing in rearranged contests at Cheltenham.

Jonbon is likely to be there, with his trainer Nicky Henderson telling ITV Racing before the announcement: "We had discussions yesterday which happened very quickly when Ascot was administered the last rights, one might say, before 4pm.

"We're very keen to go there. We're very keen to run, when you have a horse ready for this Saturday, you couldn't afford not to be near a big peak.

"I was genuinely looking forward to the race on Saturday and it's sad that it is not going to happen. Whether it might happen next weekend now, I don't know.

"It looks like there will be a reduction in prize money, but we intend to be there.

"This was going to be a great clash at Ascot. Both