El Fabiolo and Jonbon stand their ground but just two other entries are present at the five-day stage of Saturday’s Grade 1 showpiece.

An eagerly anticipated early clash between two top-class chasers El Fabiolo and Jonbon certainly looks on the cards this weekend but with both powerhouses confirming their intention to compete at Ascot on Saturday, the valuable £175,000 Grade 1 prize has attracted just four runners at the five-day entry stage.

Nicky J. Henderson's Jonbon came out on top when beating El Fabiolo over hurdles at Aintree two seasons ago, but the Mullins -trained contender got his revenge over Jonbon when the pair finished first and second in the Arkle Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, and with the score currently tied at one a piece, all eyes will be on the big two as they both tackle the Ascot fences for the first time in their respective careers.

Just 2lb separates the pair on official ratings, with El Fabiolo currently attaining a mark of 172 and with that in mind, it's of little surprise to see just two other horses in line to take them on.

Dan Skelton's Unexpected Party, who is also engaged in the bet365 Handicap Chase on the same card, seemingly has a mountain to climb against with his official rating of 141, while Joe Tizzard's ten-year-old Elixir De Nutz also has plenty to find on the figures based on his mark of 156.

With a real cold snap expected to sweep the UK over the next few days, it's by no means certain the meeting will go ahead, with Clerk of the course Chris Stickels suggesting things remain very much up in the air at this stage.

Speaking on Monday morning he said: "It's difficult to say what the prospects are at the moment.

"We are currently raceable, we covered the track on Friday, and we are frost-free under the covers. We got down to minus 1.75C overnight.

"The forecast does indicate it is going to be quite cold through this week, with temperatures down to minus three or minus four on some occasions, but there are conflicting forecasts for Saturday.

"Some are suggesting it will still be sub-zero into Saturday morning while others are saying it will be a bit milder than that. It's difficult to call at this stage, we just need to see how it develops as the week goes on."

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