Un De Sceaux owner O'Connell delighted after overnight deluge turns Ascot heavy

The Clarence House Chase looks set to be run on heavy ground on Saturday, much to the delight of Un De Sceaux's owner Edward O'Connell, after the going was changed following 11mm of rain overnight.

The 12-year-old chaser is renowned for his love of heavy going and his owner tweeted "outstanding news" in reaction to the downpour.

Willie Mullins' star has won four of his five starts on going described as heavy and he faces a rematch with Tingle Creek conqueror Defi Du Seuil, who has yet to race on heavy but has won six of his seven starts on soft.

Philip Hobbs's runner is the current 4-5 favourite with Paddy Power, while Un De Sceaux is a 6-4 chance to land a fourth success.

Clarence House Chase card

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels revealed that there was currently no plans for an inspection despite the downpour, with only light showers expected today and a colder and drier spell forecast for raceday.

He said: "We have had 11mm overnight, the ground has been changed to heavy. There are no areas I'm concerned about. The only rain forecast are showers, we've seen the worst of the rain and it's forecast to be dry and cool tomorrow."

Saturday's meeting at Haydock has also been changed to heavy after 6mm of rain fell on Thursday evening. The track, which hosts four Grade 2 contests including the Peter Marsh Chase and The New One Unibet Hurdle, could face further showers on Friday evening.

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