King Under No Illusions As Edwardstone Faces Old Foe Jonbon

Alan King is delighted to continue Edwardstone's journey when he locks horns with old enemy Jonbon once again on Saturday as both featured among the six statements for the Betfair Ascot Chase.


The duo have regularly taken on over 2 miles through their professions, now do battle over a brand-new distance, with Edwardstone showing up off the back of a heartwarming success in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month.


King said: "The old young boy seems in great form. I would have chosen somewhat better ground, however it is the method it is and we'll see how he gets on.


"It was great to see him win at Kempton last time and his enthusiasm and work at home is almost as great as it has constantly been, it was lovely to see him get his head in front again. It offered myself and the entire team a huge quantity of satisfaction.


"There is a lot of prize-money up for grabs and we'll see if we can get a piece. We're under no impressions about taking on the two big weapons so we'll see how we get on."


Jonbon has actually won 2 Melling Chases over an intermediate journey and requiring every backyard of the minimum distance when notching back-to-back Clarence House Chase victories at this track last time out, is reunited with Nico de Boinville at a venue where he has a remarkable record.


Edwardstone rolled back the years at Kempton (Steven Paston/PA)


Edwardstone are Jonbon 12 and 10 respectively and they are taken part the line-up by another older statesman, with Paul Nicholls' 11-year-old Pic D'orhy bidding to win the race for a record 3rd time having taken home initially prize for the last two seasons.


Dan Skelton runs Heltenham, with Etalon and Riskintheground losing out, with Jennie Candlish's Classic Maestro and Blow Your Wad on debut for Gary and Josh Moore completing the line-up.