In focus: the strengths and weaknesses of the Clarence House five

Five horses remain in Saturday's Grade 1 Ascot feature, the Royal Salute Whisky Clarence House Chase, but who are they and what are they doing here?

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Un De Sceaux has won the last two renewals of the Clarence House and a third successive win would elevate him above Master Minded as the most successful horse in the history of the race. He is odds-on to do so after adding a bloodless 25-length victory on his return to action at Cork last month to the scintillating Ryanair Chase success at last year's Cheltenham Festival that followed his five-length romp in this.

Pros: Experienced, adores soft ground, has won the last two renewals (last year's was run at Cheltenham) by five lengths and is the class act in the field. His career-best Racing Post Rating of 174 puts him miles clear.

Cons: He is ten now and was not tested on his comeback, so while all the signs are that he is as good as ever we do not actually know for sure.

The young pretender (who's not that young). It is not that Brain Power is a late developer, more that he was so good over hurdles he was sent down the Champion Hurdle route last year. He went off at 13-2 on the big day, so possesses plenty of class himself, but lacks Un De Sceaux's experience with his two chase starts and one win not comparing favourably to the favourite's 14 and nine.

However, Un De Sceaux also did not go chasing until he was six rising seven, and did not contest an open Grade 1 until his sixth start over fences, so Brain Power is ahead on that count.

After just two chase starts Un De Sceaux had a best RPR over fences of 151 (and 164 over hurdles) whereas Nicky Henderson's Arkle hopeful has already matched his peak of 162 achieved over hurdles on both starts as a chaser.

Pros: He has the potential to be very good and is arguably ahead of where Un De Sceaux was at a similar stage of his career.

Cons: Unseated when beaten on his last start and has upwards of 10lb to find with the favourite on this season's form.

Searching for a comeback. On what he has achieved to date it would be hard to see Kylemore Lough beating a peak Un De Sceaux. But if the favourite is not at his best – and the Willie Mullins yard has endured some tough reversals in recent weeks – Kylemore Lough comes into it if Harry Fry can get him back to the level at which Kerry Lee had him during 2016, when he won at Grade 1 level. Kylemore Lough was without a win last season, despite producing a career-best RPR of 163, and was pulled-up on his seasonal reappearance – and first start for Fry – in the BetVictor Gold Cup when sent off a much-hyped 4-1 favourite.

Kylemore Lough was a Grade 1 winner at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann

Pros: Has latent talent and his ability to jump and travel at the sort of pace Un De Sceaux will tow them along at is a big plus.

Cons: Has not won since March 2016 and has produced two of the worst runs of his career on his last three starts.

Under the radar. Game, consistent and just short of top class. The formbook suggests he will outrun his odds but find one or two too good. He landed on the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase, when Politologue fell at the last, and if others drop the ball he will again be there to pick up the pieces. But five defeats since, despite dropping into handicaps and tackling a Listed race over hurdles, furthers the impression that to win this he needs others to lose it.

Pros: A career-best RPR of 164 – achieved twice – gives him the second-highest level of form in the field. Considering one of those efforts came at Ascot over this course and distance and the other was clocked on soft ground he will be ideally suited by conditions.

Cons: Just short of top class and while he is the same age as Brain Power – and has achieved more – he is more exposed and open to less improvement.

From left field. On ratings Speredek is the odd one out. A peak RPR of 148 leaves him plenty to find and with £4,020 for finishing fifth –and £7,995 if he can steal fourth – this looks to be a bit of a grab for the small change. But, but . . . Speredek is an improving young horse. He has won five of his last six starts, mixing hurdles and fences, and last time picked up £18,768 for winning a decent handicap at Sandown by eight and 11 lengths from two in-form horses

Given he has gone up 10lb to an official mark of 145 he will still qualify for plenty of similar races that he could win – or at least be competitive in – and pick up more than finishing fourth here. But maybe, just maybe, connections are hoping to spring a major surprise. What's more he loves soft and heavy conditions and is a proper two-miler. However, finishing third would be an achievement.

Pros: Is in great form, progressive and will adore conditions.

Cons: Has a ton to find just to hold on to the coat tails of the rest of these.

Clarence House card

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com