Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo a HUGE drifter for Clarence House Chase as punters fear a Jonbon walkover

WILLIE MULLINS’ superstar two-mile chaser El Fabiolo is a huge drifter in the market for the Clarence House Chase.

Punters had been relishing the prospect of a showdown with Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon.

PA

El Fabiolo looks set to swerve his big showdown with Jonbon in the Clarence House[/caption]

But now they’re fearing a walkover after Arkle hero El Fabiolo took a walk in the market on Tuesday.

Having been 1-2 to win this morning, by the afternoon he was out to 6-4.

It meant he was smashed into evens for the Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival next month having been 7-2.

Meanwhile, Jonbon was 6-4 for the Ascot showpiece but is now into odds-on 4-6 with Sky Bet.

Just two other horses – Elixir De Nutz and Unexpected Party – have been entered in the Grade 1 chase this Saturday.

But they are priced up at a best 25-1 and 66-1 respectively.

It left one punter fearing the worst as they wrote in response to the news: “Jonbon walkover a strong possibility.”

And it also means punters hoping to see the head-to-head could now have to wait until the Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival.

El Fabiolo is even money favourite for that with Jonbon a best-price 11-4.

Their Clarence House clash was set to have huge ramifications in the ante-post market.

Jonbon had been shortening for the 2m4f Ryanair with William Hill, who are the first firm to offer non-runner, money back.

Had he gone down again to El Fabiolo then there was a possibility the brother of Douvan could move up in trip.

The Clarence House is, like fixtures up and down the country, at risk of being called off.

Sub-zero temperatures have caused havoc with fixtures – and meant Sky Racing’s first Newbury meeting since signing a sparkling five-year deal had to be axed.

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