'We think we're where we need to be for a mega clash' - Jonbon all set as Nicky Henderson looks to outpoint Willie Mullins again

After coming off second best to Oleksandr Usyk twice in the boxing ring, former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury decided that was enough and retired (again) on Monday. 

Fortunately for racing fans, two knockout blows delivered by Nicky Henderson on Willie Mullins over Christmas have not been enough to deter the champion trainer from stepping up to fight again. So, seconds out, round three of Henderson versus Mullins with Jonbon and Energumene set to go head-to-head in the Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Both trainers have been here before, with Shishkin getting off the canvas to rally past Energumene in the closing stages to take an epic running of the race in 2022. 

It was a “belter” of a contest, according to Henderson, who has regained his strut in recent months after a challenging start to 2024 and a near-wipeout at the Cheltenham Festival.

Yet despite Sir Gino and Constitution Hill repelling the Mullins-trained Ballyburn and Lossiemouth at Kempton, there has been no trash talk between the trainers in the build up to this weekend’s clash.

“It'll be a fascinating race,” Henderson said. “We look forward to it. Willie and I have had a couple of scraps over Christmas, but we're very much still talking. He'll be trying to get his own back, but Paddy [Murphy], who rides Jonbon every day, is happy, and Nico [de Boinville] came and sat on him and jumped five fences on Tuesday, and he's also happy.

“You go back to the Energumene and Shishkin race. It was built up to be something special and it was – it was a belter of a race and one for the history books. I know how good Energumene is but it's now us who have to change the batting. Shishkin was never a two-miler at the end of the day, but Jonbon is. We think we're where we need to be for a mega clash.”

Energumene has a score to settle

Energumene is stepping back into the ring with unfinished business in the Clarence House Chase, in which he will be competing for the third time.

If being chinned by Shishkin in 2022 was one thing, his defeat in 2023 was altogether different with the race rearranged for Cheltenham and run a week later after being called off at Ascot due to frozen ground.

The to-ing and fro-ing over that edition was far from ideal for Energumene, who could finish only third behind Editeur Du Gite and today's rival Edwardstone, but he bounced back with wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals before being sidelined with injury.

A warm-up bout at Cork went to plan for the Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-old with victory in the Hilly Way Chase and while Jonbon may be the title favourite, he has yet to match either Energumene’s peak official rating of 176 or Racing Post Rating of 179.

Mullins said: "We're trying to make it third time lucky in the race. He's in very good form, but it’s an away game for him. It’s bound to be another thriller and everyone is looking forward to it. He’s been doing everything right since the Hilly Way at home and everyone is very happy with him."

Edwardstone seeking prize-money boost before Newbury mission

Ascot falls nicely for Edwardstone as he builds towards trying to land a second running of the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury next month, according to trainer Alan King.

Edwardstone has tackled Jonbon five times and been behind him on each occasion. For good measure, he was also beaten by Energumene in the 2023 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Edwardstone: main target the Game Spirit at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

King is looking to the 11-year-old to complete the course and getting a few more pounds in the bank before heading to Newbury. He said: “He's in good form after his fine second under a big weight in handicap company at Kempton last month, and this is the obvious option for him ahead of the Game Spirit at Newbury. 

“There's plenty of money on offer and I hope he can grab a chunk of it.”

'Home game' for Boothill at beloved Ascot

Harry Fry is banking on a return to Ascot to help Boothill outrun his outsider status.

Boothill is the only one of the four runners not to have already scored at Grade 1 level, but his Ascot record is excellent with three wins and a third from four runs at the track.

Fry said: “He's been fine since his fall at Kempton, which was like deja vu from 12 months before. He's schooled well since but we're taking on the mighty Jonbon and Energumene, while Edwardstone is also a Grade 1 winner, and we know the task ahead of us. 

“It feels like a home game for us because he's done particularly well there in the past, and I'm hopeful he can put in a good performance and outrun his odds.”

Read more previews . . .

This Clarence House looks close to a toss-up - so only one horse appeals at the prices  

Can anything stop Royale Pagaille as he goes for record third Peter Marsh? Analysis and key quotes on the Haydock feature 

'She's done very well over the summer' - big Mares' Hurdle plunge Kargese returns to action at Ascot  

'He looks fantastic and we've got no weight' – could a lack of pace play into the hands of Kansas City Star at Ascot? 

'He's a bit stronger and older - he would have to be a player' - Dan Skelton sweet on chances of classy hurdler 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning