Matchbook Clarence House Chase (Grade 1)

THE eagerly awaited rematch between Tingle Creek combatants Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux saw the pair start joint-favourites at 11/10, but didn’t quite produce the expected fireworks, with the former running out a ready winner under Barry Geraghty.

Paul Townend set a slower pace than many expected on Un De Sceaux, and while he quickened the tempo from the third last fence, his failure to see a long stride at the penultimate obstacle, coupled with a prodigious leap from the winner, saw the battle reduced to a rearguard action from the Willie Mullins-trained veteran.

Rallied

Un De Sceaux rallied in fine style to reduce the gap, but the winner is suited by a sprint finish and never looked in danger once he assumed command.

Willie Mullins was disappointed by the result, having been quietly confident that his start could reverse Sandown form, but while Un De Sceaux appeared to be put firmly in his place, it’s notable that his time from the third last fence on Saturday was almost 40 lengths faster than that which he produced to win in 2018 from the same point and on officially identical ground, and the tactics were simply unsuitable at the end of the day.

Favourite

The Philip Hobbs-trained Defi Du Seuil hardened as Champion Chase favourite on the back of this impressive performance, and he is building nicely on his high-class novice form, surely putting to bed any lingering doubt about his ideal trip with the way he covered the move of the runner-up.

One small caveat is that the conditions were probably less testing than the official, so there remains a feeling that he may prove vulnerable given a real slog in the mud. However, with spring approaching, that is a question he is unlikely to be asked to answer until next season.