Saturday’s Clarence House Chase betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the final field
Don't miss the latest trainer quotes ahead of the Grade 1 contest at Ascot on Saturday
JUST three runners have been declared for the £150,000 Clarence House Chase.
Champion chaser Altior will face Fox Norton and Diego Du Charmil as he hunts a 17th straight win.
1. Altior - Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville (1-8)
Reigning champion chaser who has swept all before him over the last couple of years.
Returned in cracking form this season, easily winning the Tingle Creek and Desert Orchid Chase.
Faces just two rivals here and it is impossible to foresee anything other than a straightforward victory.
Nicky Henderson on Altior
"He won't mind good ground. I don't think it will get quick, but if they have a drop of rain, that is grand and will be fine.
"There is nothing I can do about the field. Nobody wants to see a three-horse race and it is a shame.
"You get good sponsorship and prize-money, but we have to have a route for these top horses to take them to the top races.
"The last thing I'm going to say is bring it back to handicap as these Grade 1 and Grade 2 races are the Pattern and you have to give these horses a route.
"If they are going to cut up like this, it is a pity.
"We have slightly changed our plan this year - going to the Tingle Creek and the Desert Orchid, then coming here.
"We thought we would let him have three runs, freshen him up and let him come back into Cheltenham with a view to doing something afterwards.
"He was electric around Kempton. I know he didn't beat the world that day, but he was pretty flawless.
"He is staying at two miles for the time being and if you finish up with that record intact you would have to think about what everyone wants us to do and think about the King George, but let's get through this season.
"The King George is the obvious place to try three miles, I would say Aintree, but the owners are not particularly keen on that.
"They keep coming, but he keeps beating them. What more can he do?
"I want to see him stay unbeaten over fences, but I'm not wrapping him up in cotton wool as we are coming out three weeks after the Desert Orchid and we have had three really quite quick runs."
2. Diego Du Charmil - Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden (14-1)
Talented performer who notched a Grade 1 win over fences at Aintree last year.
Ran as well as could be expected when chasing home Altior at Kempton on 27 December.
Fitness edge could help him shade the battle for second spot.
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3. Fox Norton - Colin Tizzard/Robbie Power (7-1)
Very classy performer who enjoyed a brilliant 2017, winning two Grade 1s.
Last seen pulling up in the King George 13 months ago.
Has bundles of ability but this is being used as a pipe-opener and his lack of a run could cost him in the battle for the silver medal.
Colin Tizzard on Fox Norton
"We just need to get him out racing. We need two runs before Cheltenham.
"We've seen before he needs a run or two to take on the likes of Altior and he can't turn up there with no runs, so we have to start somewhere.
"He has been good and been out twice a day. We have got him fit, but it is match practice he needs.
"We want safe ground."