Paul Townend: Energumene is still the one you would want to ride
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Jockey and Ladbrokes ambassador Paul Townend discusses his chances on Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
I am delighted that the Clarence House Chase was rescheduled at Cheltenham. It is a bigger field but Energumene is still the one you would want to ride in the race. He is the reigning champion chaser.
His run at Cork in the Hilly Way Chase was a nice introduction for the season. He didn’t do anything flashy, just did what he needed to. This will be a bigger test as he takes on Edwardstone.
Edwardstone is exciting but comes here off the back of an unseat which isn’t ideal, especially when you are taking on a horse like ours. Reports say he is jumping well, but in top-class races like this, you can’t come with any excuses.
Editeur Du Gite will play a hand in the race as well; he likes to go forward but the bigger field isn’t a worry. Energumene showed us last year that he can be versatile with the way he runs.
I am really looking forward to getting going on him and I hope he can do the business.
