Jonbon and Energumene are on course to meet in what Nicky Henderson predicts will be a “big battle” for the BetMGM Clarence House Chase crown at Ascot on Saturday.
Henderson's Jonbon is looking to cement his position at the head of the betting for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham by adding to his already impressive run of Grade One victories.
In 19 career starts for the Seven Barrows team he won 16, his only defeats coming against Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, El Fabiolo in the Arkle and Elixir De Nutz in this race when he was converted for Cheltenham last season, when he nearly went down more than once.
It will be the first meeting between Jonbon and the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene, who won the Champion Chase in both 2022 and 2023 but was ruled out for the whole of last season before making a triumphant return to Cork last month.
Henderson and Mullins tread familiar ground in their clash of the stars, with Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth lining up for the pair in a Christmas obstacle that proved to be one of the highlights of the festive period.
Henderson said: “It could be a big battle and it's great to play. Just like at Christmas, high-class horses going up against high-class horses. I hope it's a race people can look forward to, it should be a nice one star billing.
“We're looking forward to it and it's all systems go. At Tingle Creek the other day, the crowd really got behind him, which is nice. He deserves it. He's been playing at the top table for a while, he used to be a young buck.”
Energumene is no stranger to Ascot's Clarence House Chase, having been sent by Willie Mullins from Closutton for it in 2022 when he met another Seven Barrows superstar, the late Shishkin.
The race went down as one of the best at Ascot in recent years, with Energumene falling a length as Shishkin's famous late surge proved too much for him.
Revenge awaited at Cheltenham, however, as Shishkin stopped early, Energumene easily won his first Chase
Henderson recalled: “It was one of the great races of all time, it was billed that way and it lived up to it, which was great. Well, it was great for us, I don't think Willie enjoyed it as much as we did did, it went their way, and then it came back to go our way at the end!
“Energumene was impressive in his comeback a few weeks ago, so it looks like we're going to do it again, but it will be Jonbon who will have to fight him.
“The interesting thing is that Jonbon is very happy up there (with the pace), they could go into a real good gallop, it could be an attacking game! This could be the preparation for another historic renewal.”
Old rivals Edwardstone (Alan King) and Boothill (Harry Fry) are also in the mix, while Evan Williams' Liberty Hunter is a fascinating prospect.
The nine-year-old was second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and then third in novice company at Aintree but looked the better horse when winning easily on the return.
Dan Skelton's Grand Annual winner Unexpected Party completes the list of six possible.