Paul Townend looks ahead to Un De Sceaux at Ascot

I was delighted to wake up to the news that Ascot has gone heavy because I will be there to ride Un De Sceaux (3.25) in the Clarence House Chase.

As I always say he is the horse of a lifetime. I am sure it will again be a big clash with Defi Du Seuil.

It would be great to come out the right side of the tussle this time but I am sure he will run his usual good honest race. I genuinely can’t wait for it.

I didn’t really learn anything new from our run in the Tingle Creek at Sandown. At this stage of his career Un De Sceaux has one way of going and that’s it.

There are no hidden secrets. But I am getting to know him more every time I ride him and that can be an advantage.

I actually won a previous Clarence House on him a couple of seasons ago so it’s a track he has actually won over.

We haven’t much to find with Defi Du Seuil on the Sandown run and every drop of rain that falls should be in our favour.

Sunday

I will be back in Ireland for Thurles on Sunday where we start with Monkfish (1.35). He is a horse for whom it has taken a while for the penny to drop. 

Heis a big chaser type. I think he is an improving horse and I don’t think wewill see the best of him until he goes over a fence. 

But Ido think he can do nice things over hurdles first. This looks a goodopportunity for him.

GordonElliott’s Festival D’Ex will probably be hard to beat as he had very goodbumper form and got up and won nicely in a maiden hurdle. It won’t be easy forMonkfish. He is learning but is still a bit babyish.

Real Steel (2.45) ran well in the John Durkan. He has a bit to find with Hardline on that run but Hardline has had a fall since.

RealSteel is a horse I like. He has decent form around the track. He has won plentyof races and I think he will put up a good performance there again.

Cut The Mustard (3.20) won in Limerick for Mikey Fogarty, jumping very well. She is 133-rated hurdler so a decent mare.

Iimagine J P McManus’s Elimay will be hard to beat. She looked a real chaser andwas very impressive in Cork. 

Wewill be hoping for the best. Cut The Mustard can learn from her first run overfences and give a decent account of herself.

Paul