Tag Archive for: El Fabiolo

Senecia turns over El Fabiolo at Navan

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Senecia stunned odds-on favourite El Fabiolo with a 50-1 victory in the BoyleSports Webster Cup Chase at Navan.

All eyes were on four-times Grade One winner El Fabiolo in the Grade Two affair, with the Willie Mullins-trained runner having just his second start of the campaign having fallen on his belated return at Leopardstown last month.

Townend allowed El Fabiolo to warm to his task as Senecia set out to make all in the hands of Philip Enright, with the 4-11 market leader seemingly having plenty in reserve when taking closer order with five fences to jump.

However, Senecia was game for a battle and when the pair settled down to fight it out over the final two obstacles, Vincent Halley’s charge showed plenty of heart and fended off the challenge of El Fabiolo by a length and a quarter.

Owner Laurence Halley said: “Wonderful, wonderful! A brave horse and he’s a great jumper. He jumped as good as any of them in the Fortria (third in November).

“He has been highly tried and we thought the ground would find him out today, but he handled it.

“He was a €16,500 foal and we kept him as a Covid carry over (as he did not sell at the sales).

“Navan has been a lucky place for me, I won the Fortria with Arctic Skipper and Sean Flanagan (in 2016). We got home a short head from all the big boys again!

“I’d say it will be Fairyhouse next or Punchestown.”

While El Fabiolo’s run did not go to plan, the Mullins-trained Champ Kiely did follow the script in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.

A Grade One novice hurdle winner, Champ Kiely was sidelined for 614 days before making a winning debut over fences at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day before coming home fourth behind stablemate Ballyburn when upped to the highest level at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Eased to Grade Three company for this contest, Champ Kiely always had the measure of second-placed giant Jeannot Lapin and the 30-100 favourite coasted home for an eight-length victory under Townend.

Champ Kiely still holds a Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase entry at the Cheltenham Festival but Mullins will be looking elsewhere with the nine-year-old.

He said: “He put in a good round of jumping and galloped to the line.

“Coming back to two miles wasn’t any harm to him, so I’m very pleased with him.

“He could go to the WillowWarm (Gold Cup) at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles. That might be a better option for him.”

Prince Palace (7-2) look Listed laurels in the Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase for trainer Pat Fahy and jockey Harry Sexton, seeing off Shantreusse by three lengths.

Fahy said: “He never won anything before, but he has been coming nicely. A few lovely runs and it worked out. We only get the odd old big one!

“A great ride. I was hoping that a top rider would come in, a young lad that would work. He doesn’t care what sort of work it takes to get going, he will work. He can ride into the bargain and is willing to listen.

“He is getting very cool and not panicking. He is keeping the whip down, and he is getting better and better.”

Possible Scilly Isles option not ruled out for Impaire Et Passe

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Impaire Et Passe is “ready to roll” next weekend, with Sandown’s Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase entering the equation as a possible alternative to the Dublin Racing Festival.

A winner of nine of his 12 starts, Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old rediscovered the form that saw him score at the Cheltenham Festival in his novice hurdling days when winning hot races at both Aintree and Sandown in the spring last season.

He has continued to thrive since switching to the larger obstacles this term, following up a bloodless chasing bow at Fairyhouse by striking at the highest level at Limerick over Christmas.

Connections have been delighted by his smooth transition between disciplines and are now eyeing further Grade One success at either Leopardstown next Sunday in the Ladbrokes Novice or in Esher a day earlier.

“He’s entered at the Dublin Racing Festival but we might just give him an entry for the Scilly Isles at Sandown, just to give him another option,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

“I imagine Willie will stay on home soil, he has five or six in the race and I imagine he will run all of them. He’s got the likes of Ballyburn, Champ Kiely and others in there.

“The entry for Sandown would just give us another option though, then we can have a think about it and decide through the week. He’s ready to roll.”

Bromley added: “I’ve been pleased how he’s been switching off in his races and he’s seeing them out well. He’s been finishing off much better than he ever did over hurdles last season and I think he’s a healthier horse this year – we’re excited to see him out again.”

El Fabiolo has won twice at the Dublin Racing Festival
El Fabiolo has won twice at the Dublin Racing Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

Another of Munir and Souede’s ‘double green’ big guns is El Fabiolo, who has seen his season held up by a training setback but holds an entry for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

However, a defence of the trophy he won at Leopardstown’s popular two-day meeting last year could come too soon for the eight-year-old, who has not been seen since finishing second in a clash with Jonbon at Sandown last April.

“I’m not getting quite the vibe he is going to run, he might be confirmed on Monday or Tuesday and then it all might depend on his next pieces of work,” continued Bromley.

“He’s getting closer to a run, but whether it will be at the Dublin Racing Festival, I’m not quite sure.”

El Fabiolo on the gallops at Closutton
El Fabiolo on the gallops at Closutton (Niall Carson/PA)

Although a winner of the Arkle in 2023, El Fabiolo was a beaten favourite in the Champion Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival before also suffering the later reversal at the hands of Jonbon, which leaves connections toying with the idea of stepping up in trip at some stage in the near future.

Bromley added: “I think going up in trip might give him chance to jump a bit better and certainly at Sandown at the end of last season, two miles was putting him on his head a little bit, so I do think we need to think about going up in distance.

“I think for his first run of the season he will stick at two miles because he could be a bit free and he is a quite a bit of puller. We will see, but I do think we’ll try stepping him up at some stage.”

It has of course been a season of slight change for the Munir and Souede team with long-time retained jockey Daryl Jacob retiring and J J Slevin taking over the role.

J J Slevin is now the retained rider for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede
J J Slevin is now the retained rider for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede (Adam Davy/PA)

Slevin is no stranger to donning the colours of Munir and Souede having guided Intense Raffles to Irish Grand National glory last year, but the owners have been delighted by the fast start he has made to the job in an official capacity.

“It’s been a very smooth transition from Daryl to J J,” said Bromley.

“He had already ridden quite a lot of winners for us anyway, but he has hit the ground running and the horses are running well. He’s already been in the winner’s enclosure at least four or five times since the announcement.

“It’s been seamless and a good marriage so far.”

El Fabiolo back in ‘good place’ for latest Jonbon battle

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Willie Mullins believes El Fabiolo will need to “bring his A-game” if he is to put Cheltenham Festival disappointment behind him in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.

The seven-year-old was imperious in winning his first six starts over fences and was prohibitive odds to make it a magnificent seven in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Prestbury Park last month.

However, the French recruit blotted his copybook for the first time since joining Mullins, almost crashing out after a juddering mistake at the fifth fence and he was swiftly pulled up by Paul Townend.

Mullins admits El Fabiolo “wasn’t himself” after returning to Ireland, but feels he is now back on-song ahead of what he considers a difficult test.

“It looks a tough enough race and he’ll have to bring his A-game,” he said.

“It took him a couple of weeks to get over Cheltenham, he just wasn’t himself, but his last few bits of work have been good and David Casey schooled him over four fences on Wednesday morning and said he was very good and very brave, so I’m happy he’s in a good place.”

Mullins does not expect El Fabiolo to have things all his own way in a £170,000 contest which could play a crucial part in deciding whether the Closutton handler is crowed British champion trainer.

Willie Mullins with El Fabiolo and Paul Townend after winning the Hilly Way Chase at Cork
Willie Mullins with El Fabiolo and Paul Townend after winning the Hilly Way Chase at Cork (Niall Carson/PA)

His rivals include a familiar foe in Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, who prior to the Champion Chase was the only horse to beat El Fabiolo since his arrival in Ireland, having got the better of him in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree two years ago, although the Mullins ace has since taken his revenge in last season’s Arkle at Cheltenham.

Mullins added: “It’s going to be a hell of a race, championship or no championship. Jonbon is on home ground and we’re playing an away game coming back from a run where we disappointed.

“Jonbon had a tough race in Aintree, so there’s pros and cons for both horses, so we’ll see.

“It’s going to be a tough and tactical race, I think.”

Jonbon has enjoyed a largely productive campaign, winning the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, the Tingle Creek at Sandown and bouncing back from a shock defeat in a rearranged Clarence House Chase on Cheltenham Trials Day with victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree two weeks ago.

Henderson told Unibet: “The match we have been waiting for has finally arrived and we are all very much looking forward to it. We did the Aintree-Sandown double 12 months ago, but he did have an easier race at Aintree last year than this, so that has to be taken into consideration.

“Nico (de Boinville) felt that two and a half was about as far as he’d like to go at this stage, so the drop back in trip is an obvious plus and he’s been ticking along nicely at home. It is a fantastic race and I hope that we can come out on top!”

Alan King saddles stable stalwart Edwardstone, who was behind Jonbon on his first two starts of the season but later bounced back to winning ways with a 40-length romp in the Game Spirit at Newbury.

Edwardstone in full flight at Newbury
Edwardstone in full flight at Newbury (Adam Davy/PA)

The 10-year-old fell two fences from home in the Champion Chase last month, but is reported to be in good form ahead of his latest big-race assignment.

King said: “It took him a wee bit of time to get over the fall, but he seems back in good order and I’m happy enough with him.

“It’s a cracking race, as it’s entitled to be. We’ll see what happens.”

Mullins’ title rival Dan Skelton is represented by Nube Negra, but while he is hopeful of a bold showing from his Celebration Chase runner, he has all but conceded the championship already.

Dan Skelton with Nube Negra
Dan Skelton with Nube Negra (Jacob King/PA)

“Nube Negra gets his chance to run on his ground,” Skelton told Racing TV.

“I know he’s a massive price and the two superstars (El Fabiolo and Jonbon) are turning up and everything else, but it’s just nice to be able to go down there and run those types of horses on the ground they like and in really valuable races.”

He added with a wry smile: “We’ll enjoy the day, we’ll applaud Willie and ask him to keep it clean next year!”

Editeur Du Gite (Gary Moore), Boothill (Harry Fry) and Elixir De Nutz (Joe Tizzard) complete the field.

El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior among Mullins Sandown entries

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Willie Mullins has entered both El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior at Sandown on Saturday, as he leaves no stone unturned in his attempt to be crowned champion trainer in the UK for the first time.

With £170,000 up for grabs in the bet365 Celebration Chase, Mullins has every base covered with the winners of the last two renewals of the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo and Saint Sam could all run for Mullins, who has made 25 entries on the card overall, while current champion chaser Captain Guinness holds an entry for Henry de Bromhead.

In what could potentially be one of the races of the season, Jonbon, Editeur Du Gite and Edwardstone are among the 14 possibles, in which Mullins’ nearest rival Dan Skelton has entered Nube Negra and his new recruit from Ben Pauling, Harper’s Brook.

A late decision is expected on Gaelic Warrior, with Joe Chambers, racing manager for his owners Susannah and Rich Ricci, explaining he is unlikely to be supplemented for the Champion Chase at Punchestown.

Gaelic Warrior was brilliant in the Arkle
Gaelic Warrior was brilliant in the Arkle (Adam Davy/PA)

“We’re crawling forward day by day and fully expected him to be entered. We’ll see how things are looking on Thursday morning,” Chambers told the Nick Luck Daily podcast

“We’re not in the Champion Chase at Punchestown, only the novice race, and it’s 30,000 euros to supplement, which doesn’t appeal.

“Willie has always kept novices to novices, unless there has been the odd exception. I would have thought winning the Scottish National would make him run less rather than more, but I could be absolutely wrong, I haven’t a clue what they are thinking.

“He’d be a fair sight, I’d love to see him personally going two miles there, it’s right-handed but whether he goes there or not, it’s going to be very much later in the week.”

Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon is in at Punchestown but Sandown is his preferred destination.

“We are thinking we’re going to Sandown, that’s the plan at the moment, we’re just a little concerned he’s had to start watering quite early. As long as it is safe,” said Henderson.

“We did the two (Aintree and Sandown) last year, so it pricked our ears to it again. Punchestown is an option but I’d rather not be travelling, as it would be safer to stay in England, to be honest.”

In the bet365 Oaksey Chase, Ahoy Senor is among 17 entries, along with Henry de Bromhead’s Journey With Me and Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker.

Threeunderthrufive is set to carry top weight
Threeunderthrufive is set to carry top weight (Simon Marper/PA)

Paul Nicholls’ Threeunderthrufive is left at the top of the weights for the bet365 Gold Cup, as the current champion retains a slim hope of retaining his title.

Last year’s winner Kitty’s Light remains in contention after his brave run in the Grand National, with Le Milos carrying the flag for Skelton.

Mullins has left in four, with Nick Rockett and Minella Cocooner his main hopes.

Impaire Et Passe and Langer Dan could meet again in the bet365 Select Hurdle, in which Skelton has also entered My Drogo.

El Fabiolo set for Sandown as Mullins chases title glory

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El Fabiolo will bid to aid Willie Mullins’ quest to be crowned Britain’s champion jumps trainer by contesting the bet365 Celebration Chase on the final day of the season at Sandown.

With the Randox Grand National success of I Am Maximus at Aintree seeing Mullins hit the front in the title race, the Closutton is keen to grab what he believes would be a “once in a lifetime achievement” with both hands, as he looks to fend of Dan Skelton and perennial champion Paul Nicholls.

As is usually the case, most of the Mullins big guns are being readied to round off the campaign at the Punchestown Festival between April 30 and May 4.

But star two-miler El Fabiolo could forego an outing in County Kildare to instead head back across the Irish Sea the previous Saturday, with the £170,000 Celebration Chase likely to have a major bearing on where the championship ultimately ends up.

Speaking at a press morning at his yard to promote the Punchestown Festival, Mullins said: “El Fabiolo will definitely go to Sandown.

Willie Mullins at Aintree last week
Willie Mullins at Aintree last week (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“The Celebration Chase is an important race and it looks like a big race that we have the winning of, which would be huge.

“A lot will depend on what happens between now and Punchestown, (but) looking at it, we’re about £50,000 in front, so if we won that (Celebration Chase), one of the other guys would have to win another feature and probably another race to pass us.

“It’s a three-score game at the moment, but Paul is really a master of winning the championship and he will have his tactics in his head already. He could win the Scottish National and the bet365 Gold Cup and blow us out of the water, but you need a lot of luck to do that too.

“We’re just hoping that we can get one nice prize – and with a bit of luck, it will make it difficult then for Dan and Paul.

“We’re getting huge goodwill, especially from a lot of people across the water. They’re saying it’s adding a bit of spice to the end of the season and it’s a once in a lifetime achievement if we can manage to pull it off, so we’re going to put everything into it.”

El Fabiolo will be on a retrieval mission if he does turn up at Sandown after a bad mistake led to him being pulled up as a 2-9 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins revealed the seven-year-old was feeling the effects of his disappointing effort after returning to Ireland, but is confident he is now back on-song.

He added: “He just wasn’t right when he came back from Cheltenham, so I just gave him a break and let him find his feet, so he’s bucking and kicking the last few mornings.

“He just wasn’t himself, but there was nothing to treat when we got home. Sometimes you just give a horse a break and let him recuperate and he’s done that and seems in good form now.

“He’s as fit as a flea and one or two bits of work should see him right for Sandown, I imagine.”

Paul Townend and Gaelic Warrior after winning the Arkle at Cheltenham
Paul Townend and Gaelic Warrior after winning the Arkle at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Another horse under consideration for a trip to Sandown is Arkle hero Gaelic Warrior, although the six-year-old does also have the option of Punchestown’s Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.

Mullins said: “Gaelic Warrior always looked very, very good but that form got a huge boost and it would be nice going to Punchestown with that, but I think he holds an entry in Sandown, so we’ll see how things go but I’d like to go to Punchestown with him.

“It’s sort of thrown a bit of a spanner in the works for our team but we still have an A-team I think to bring to Punchestown anyhow.

“It’s not something I like doing (running a novice in open company), but maybe this year we might have to look. El Fabiolo will be there, though, maybe he’d be enough.”

El Fabiolo’s departure offers Cheltenham reprieve for bookmakers

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There was relief for bookmakers after El Fabiolo’s Champion Chase defeat saved them a a “multi-million pound” pasting from the punters on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

After a Willie Mullins treble landed on day one of the meeting, the layers were staring down the barrel of a repeat after Ballyburn and Fact To File had both landed the spoils at short odds.

With the absence of Jonbon, El Fabiolo was sent off the 2-9 favourite to inflict more misery on the bookies in the Betway-sponsored feature, but they were given a reprieve as the market leader’s jumping fell apart – being subsequently pulled up, with fellow Irish raider Captain Guinness limiting the damage as he obliged at odds of 17-2.

“After his opening day treble, we knew the three Willie Mullins-trained hot favourites would feature in many, many accumulators on day two, and the writing looked on the wall when Ballyburn and Fact To File landed the first two legs,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“On this occasion, however, it wasn’t to be, and to the great relief of the layers, an early blunder from the favourite saw punters’ hopes dashed.

“It wasn’t up there with the Annie Power fall, but we needed a result and we got it, and we go into day three with all to play for.”

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, added: “Punters were jumping for joy when Willie’s first two favourites bolted up, but El Fabiolo threatened major damage so we’re saying cheers to Captain Guinness who definitely pulled a rabbit out of the hat for us.”  

Although not many punters benefitted from the victory of Captain Guinness, one winner was the ‘Rachael Blackmore – Serial Winners Fund’ with Betfair adding a further £10,000 to the charity initiative set up to raise funds for both the Injured Jockey Fund and the Irish Injured Jockeys.

“What an amazing win for Rachael and the injured jockeys’ charities in the UK and Ireland,” said Betfair’s Barry Orr.

“The pot now strands on £205,000 and hopefully there are more celebrations to come this week.”

One firm refusing to get carried away in the Captain Guinness celebrations was BetVictor, with representative Sam Boswell feeling the advantage very much lies with the punters with two days of action still to go.

He said: “After winning the first race with Ballyburn the pressure was on as punters rejoiced, Mullins then had Fact To File win the Brown Advisory Novice Chase at 8-13.

“The respite of a domestic winner in the Coral Cup was limited as Langer Dan (13-2) was a popular pick to score back to back wins.

“It came down to the Champion Chase where El Fabiolo looked set to put us to the sword. It was only a jumping error that prevented potentially significant payouts across the industry as Rachael Blackmore was able to take advantage on Captain Guinness.

“It was another big day for punters and at the halfway stage bookies are very much 2-0 down.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Paddy Power, with spokesperson Paul Binfield adding: “El Fabiolo’s unfortunate mistake was the crucial moment of the day for the bookies and was absolutely massive saving us a seven-figure payout.

“We were slightly up on the day, but after a resounding victory for punters on Tuesday, they’re still in front.”

Captain Guinness and Blackmore rise to the occasion in dramatic Champion Chase

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Captain Guinness came out on top in a dramatic renewal of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, in which red-hot favourite El Fabiolo was pulled up.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the nine-year-old was sent off a 17-2 chance, with Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo starting as the heavily-supported 2-9 market leader in the absence of supposed main rival Jonbon.

However, a jumping error led to Paul Townend’s mount being pulled up, and when the front-running Edwardstone fell two out – albeit when looking beaten – it was Captain Guinness who went on prevail, holding off El Fabiolo’s stablemate Gentleman De Mee in a real battle up the hill.

Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore in full flight
Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore in full flight (Adam Davy/PA)

Winning the race for the fourth time, De Bromhead said: “Obviously after El Fabiolo went you knew then that the race had opened right up and we felt we had a right chance then.

“Can mistakes happen more at the speed they go in this race, I don’t know.

“He had his thing at Christmas (fibrillating heart) and I just kept thinking the horse deserved to get his Grade One so much, to get this one is amazing.

“Everyone at home has done a fantastic job and the vets. The tests he went through after Christmas, his heart specialist was happy and the IHRB (Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board) was happy and everyone was. In fairness to Sam who looks after him, he hadn’t known him in such form.

“We took a view from Leopardstown in February we just wouldn’t train him hard and keep him fresh and happy and that’s what we did. We just wanted him really bullish and he’s been trying to buck Sam off for the last two weeks, so I’m not sure he was as happy with the plan as I was, but it’s worked out for us all now.”

He added: “We’ve been so lucky in this race, it’s such an exciting race. You can’t make any mistake really, it’s about speed and accuracy.

“Another year when we won it Douvan was odds-on for the whole year. You can’t be afraid of one horse, but you pick your spots. You don’t do it every day of the week, but this place is different.”

Blackmore was adding the Champion Chase to her glittering CV for the first time, also becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the race – as she is the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.

“I could hear and see El Fabiolo make a mistake beside me, so I knew he was out of the equation then and your thinking changes, I suppose,” she said.

“It happened quite early on and we still had a long way to go, so I was just trying to ride from fence to fence, but it does change your brain a little bit for sure.

“The horse in front (Edwardstone) is such a good jumper, but my horse is a good jumper as well and and I didn’t want him to have it too easy in front.

“It was a long way up the hill after the last and I was glad we got to the line. I was trying to save and halfway up the hill I was thinking I hadn’t saved enough, but he’s an incredible horse.

“I’m not shocked because I thought his day would come, but at the same time I can’t believe it came.

Jockey Rachael Blackmore celebrates on Captain Guinness after winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Jockey Rachael Blackmore celebrates on Captain Guinness after winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“He ran so well here last year, I know he was beaten a long way but he still ran really well behind an incredibly talented horse (Energumene). He’s been in great form at home and when you’re riding for Henry around here this week, he does get them spot on.

“I was very hopeful coming into the race and I’m so delighted it’s happened for him on the biggest stage of all. I know Henry has won this race a few times, but I haven’t and it’s an incredible race to win.

“Sometimes it’s hard to let these things sink into you, it’s unbelievable.”

Willie Mullins suffered Champion Chase disappointment with El Fabiolo
Willie Mullins suffered Champion Chase disappointment with El Fabiolo (Mike Egerton/PA)

Mullins said: “I was very concerned that he reached for an early one and then stood back too far at the fence going away from the stands and didn’t get high enough.

“He got very low over a couple of them and I know he was a bit chancy before, but I was very concerned. He jumped the last one good and then of course he just stood back too far and didn’t get high enough. It’s very disappointing.”

He added: “I’m delighted for Henry and delighted for Rachael and our Gentleman De Mee ran a cracker, so we’re delighted.”

Alan King was thankfully able to confirm that Edwardstone was essentially fine following his fall.

He said: “He’s a bit shaken up but he’s OK, thankfully.

“He was in the process of running a solid race, but the winner cruised up as if he had just jumped in.”

Henderson backing Jonbon to mount strong Champion challenge

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Nicky Henderson is optimistic Jonbon can give familiar foe El Fabiolo a run for his money when they clash for a third time in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Jonbon was a narrow victor when the top-class pair first clashed in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree in April 2022, but El Fabiolo took his revenge 12 months ago when running out a facile winner of the Arkle Trophy.

With Jonbon making a fine start to his season with wins in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and El Fabiolo successful on his reappearance in the Hilly Way at Cork, their rivalry was scheduled to resume in January’s Clarence House Chase, but the abandonment of racing at Ascot meant they instead went their separate ways.

While El Fabiolo stretched his unbeaten record over fences to six at the Dublin Racing Festival, Jonbon suffered a shock reverse in a rescheduled Clarence House on Cheltenham Trials day, with Henderson of the opinion that the extra week proved detrimental to his charge.

“I was really looking forward to Ascot and the clash with El Fabiolo, we were in absolute tip-top shape and I was very confident for that, we were very prepared for it,” he said.

“Jonbon is the one horse, when you’ve wound up the clock, a week was a long time for him, I couldn’t wind him up anymore and it gave us a headache of a week.

“They’ll go some gallop in the Champion Chase and I think that suits him. It looks as if Edwardstone has come into pacemaking duties and he looked very good at Newbury, but in some ways I don’t think that is a bad thing for us.”

El Fabiolo in action at Leopardstown
El Fabiolo in action at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

El Fabiolo will look to provide Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with a third successive Champion Chase victory following the back-to-back triumphs of Energumene.

Townend said: “He’s made the step into open company well this year and goes here off the back of a good win at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s another exciting one for the week.”

Edwardstone won the 2022 Arkle for Alan King, and while he was no match for Jonbon in either the Shloer or the Tingle Creek earlier in the season, he looked right back to his best under a positive ride in last month’s Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

“He’s never really been away and his two runs behind Jonbon were very good. All right his run at Kempton over two and a half (miles) didn’t work, which was disappointing, but he has done very little wrong in his life,” said King.

“He’s in good order, but this is a totally different ball game to the Game Spirit.”

On whether Edwardstone could attempt to make all the running, the trainer added: “We’ll worry about tactics on the day, but there will be plenty of pace on and the Tizzard horse (Elixir De Nutz) will go forward. We’re certainly not going to drop him in, but we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve had a good preparation, but it’s up to him now. It’s nice to be part of it, but I’m not going there with any great expectations that we are going to win it.”

Elixir De Nutz was the horse that inflicted defeat upon Jonbon in the Clarence House, a first Grade One success for trainer Joe Tizzard and his nephew rider Freddie Gingell.

Tizzard feels he merits his place in the Champion Chase field, even if he is a big outsider.

Elixir De Nutz (right) sees off Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham
Elixir De Nutz (right) sees off Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

He said: “He’s in top nick and Fred had a sit on him last Monday. He’s ready to go.

“He’s probably had his Gold Cup this season but if there are any flaws in the others, then he will be bang there.”

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Captain Guinness was best of the rest behind Energumene in last year’s renewal and is back for more after placing third behind El Fabiolo at Leopardstown.

“He was just a bit unfortunate at Christmas, but other than that he’s been brilliant,” said De Bromhead.

“It would be amazing if he could go one better than last year, fingers crossed.”

El Fabiolo and Jonbon clash in Champion Chase

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El Fabiolo and Jonbon head a list of eight runners in Wednesday’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

The big two will clash for the third time, with honours even heading into this year’s Festival showdown.

Jonbon struck the first blow in the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree two years ago, but El Fabiolo was a decisive victor in last season’s Arkle.

Edwardstone has been beaten twice by Jonbon this term but can boast a previous Festival success on his extensive CV, having landed the 2022 Arkle.

Captain Guinness was second to Energumene in this contest 12 months ago, while Elixir De Nutz will bid to follow up his surprise triumph over Jonbon in January’s rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Prestbury Park.

Boothill, 2022 Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola and Gentleman De Mee complete the line-up.

Ballyburn will be a red-hot favourite to kick off day two of this year’s Festival with victory in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, with just seven rivals set to take him on.

His trainer Willie Mullins will also saddle four of those, including Naas Grade One runner-up Ile Atlantique and Predators Gold, who has been second twice at elite level at Leopardstown.

Ben Pauling’s Handstands heads the home team after completing a hat-trick of wins over timber in the Listed-class Sidney Banks at Huntingdon.

Last year’s Champion Bumper second Fact To File features among six entries still standing in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, having already claimed Grade One glory over fences for Mullins at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Paul Nicholls will be represented by Stay Away Fay, who prevailed in the Albert Bartlett 12 months ago.

However, Nigel Twiston-Davies was forced to withdraw Broadway Boy following an unsatisfactory tracheal wash and Dan Skelton has left out Grey Dawning.

Former Gold Cup hero Minella Indo is one of a dozen runners in the Glenfarclas Chase, which will also feature last year’s Gordon Elliott one-two of Delta Work and Galvin.

Mullins is set to saddle nine runners in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, as he bids to win that contest for a record-extending 13th time.

Edwardstone in top trim as Champion Chase date awaits

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Alan King is keen to let Edwardstone “do the talking” as he prepares to take on old foe Jonbon and red-hot favourite El Fabiolo in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Having saddled the currently sidelined Energumene to claim back-to-back victories in the day two feature, Willie Mullins will have high hopes of making it a hat-trick with El Fabiolo, who won the Arkle at last season’s Festival and is six from six over fences overall.

The horse rated his biggest threat is Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, who has won four of his five starts since finishing best of the rest behind El Fabiolo 12 months ago, but was turned over at prohibitive odds by Elixir De Nutz in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in late January.

Edwardstone, winner of the 2022 Arkle for Alan King, was no match for Jonbon in either the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham or when defending his crown in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier in the season, but bounced back to winning ways with a brilliant display in last month’s Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

While respectful of the opposition, King, who won the 2007 Champion Chase with Voy Por Ustedes, feels his charge is as good as he ever was at the age of 10 and is looking forward to the challenge.

“He’s absolutely fine, he did his last bit of strong work yesterday and schooled this morning, all seems well,” said the Barbury Castle handler.

“Most of the hard work is done, he’ll have a little breeze at the weekend but nothing too strenuous.

“Touch wood we’ve had a beautiful, clear preparation. He’s not been overly-raced and he’s certainly working as well as he’s ever done, so we’re happy.

“No disrespect to the horses we beat at Newbury, but this is a different ball game. I have great respect for the two favourites and we’ll just let Edwardstone do the talking.”

El Fabiolo winning at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival
El Fabiolo winning at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival (Niall Carson/PA)

El Fabiolo, Jonbon and Edwardstone are three of eight horses still in contention for the Champion Chase following the confirmation stage.

Mullins is also set to saddle Gentleman De Mee, with Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness – runner-up to Energumene in last year’s renewal – also set to make the trip from Ireland.

Jonbon’s Clarence House conqueror Elixir De Nutz (Joe Tizzard), Boothill (Harry Fry) and Funambule Sivola (Venetia Williams) complete the octet.

El Fabiolo makes light work of Dublin Chase assignment

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El Fabiolo continued his relentless march towards next month’s Queen Mother Champion Chase with a dominant display in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.

Winner of the Irish Arkle at this meeting last year before following up in the Arkle at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old had stretched his unbeaten record over fences to six when making a successful start to the current campaign in the Hilly Way at Cork.

With the weather denying him an intended trip to Britain for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last month, El Fabiolo was rerouted to the Dublin Racing Festival for his final outing before his return to the Cotswolds and ultimately got the job done without too much fuss.

Having tracked his stablemate and last year’s winner Gentleman De Mee for most of the two-mile-one-furlong journey, El Fabiolo (4-11 favourite) took over with a big leap two fences from home and was in in full command thereafter, only having to be pushed out by Paul Townend to score by eight and a half lengths from another Willie Mullins-trained runner in Dinoblue.

Both Coral and Paddy Power make El Fabiolo the 4-9 market leader to provide Mullins with a third successive victory in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival following the back-to-back wins of the currently sidelined Energumene.

Mullins said: “He did his job well because Dinoblue had worked very well during the week, and I thought if he made any mistake then she would definitely give him a race, so it was a good test and not a freebie by any means. She was getting 7lb from him and she is a good mare.

“He was very clean today and very good. Paul just sat very quiet on him, and he appreciated that and did his job.

El Fabiolo and Paul Townend after winning at Leopardstown
El Fabiolo and Paul Townend after winning at Leopardstown (Adam Morgan/PA)

“I’m delighted all the owners are here and they love coming to Ireland to race. They have raced in France and England extensively, but they say the experience here is way better.

“The appreciation Irish people have for racing is huge which you don’t get in other countries.”

Townend said: “He’s a monster, a huge horse with loads of power.

“I was always happy”

El Fabiolo win ‘not a foregone conclusion’ warns Mullins

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El Fabiolo is out to confirm his position as the leading two-mile chaser in training when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Winner of the Irish Arkle at this meeting 12 months ago when he was overlooked by Paul Townend in favour of Appreciate It, he went on to confirm the big impression he made that day at Cheltenham.

Up against Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, the only horse to beat him since joining Willie Mullins, he came out well on top.

The pair were due to clash again in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot two weeks ago but the meeting was abandoned due to frost and Mullins swerved the rearranged race at Cheltenham last week, leaving Jonbon seemingly with a penalty kick, only for him to fluff his lines.

El Fabiolo and jockey Paul Townend return at Cheltenham
El Fabiolo and jockey Paul Townend return at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

Mullins will be hoping the same fate does not befall his seven-year-old this weekend when he faces stiff opposition from within his own camp, three runners all owned by JP McManus – the improving mare Dinoblue, Gentleman De Mee and Saint Roi.

“El Fabiolo was supposed to go to England and then the Clarence House was rerouted to Cheltenham and we said we’d skip that and come to the Dublin Racing Festival,” said Mullins.

“He’s in great form. Dinoblue is a mare that’s improving all the time and then Gentleman De Mee’s there, he will also give a good account of himself and he likes this track. It’s shaping up to be a hot race, it’s not a foregone conclusion.”

El Fabiolo is the star among owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s ‘double green’ team but their racing manager Anthony Bromley is also taking nothing for granted.

Dinoblue is regarded as a big danger
Dinoblue is regarded as a big danger (Niall Carson/PA)

“Dinoblue and Gentleman De Mee are really strong opposition and it is certainly not going to be easy,” said Bromley.

“The ground should be fine, he’s a course and distance winner and rated to win it, but I was hugely impressed by Dinoblue at Christmas in proper soft ground and there could be a big danger there.

“Let’s hope we can just get through it and then plan for Cheltenham. He is our big hope for Sunday and the weekend really.”

The only non-Mullins runner in the race is Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness, who was desperately disappointing behind Dinoblue at Christmas and has frequently come up just short in Grade Ones in the past.

El Fabiolo spearheads strong ‘double green’ DRF squad

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Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite El Fabiolo will captain Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s Dublin Racing Festival team as the unbeaten chaser heads to Leopardstown a red-hot favourite for Sunday’s Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Originally set to contest Ascot’s abandoned Clarence House Chase, Willie Mullins’ ace two-miler will seek riches closer to home as he looks to supplement his victory in the Irish Arkle at the two-day meeting 12 months ago.

El Fabiolo went on to add to his Grade One tally at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals and following a successful comeback run in Cork’s Hilly Way Chase, the odds-on shot will be seeking to solidify his spot at the top of the market for the Champion Chase in just under six weeks’ time.

“The team will probably have about nine runners, but he’s the only one who will be a hot favourite for us and is our best chance,” said Munir and Souede’s racing manager Anthony Bromley.

“He’s training well and was in great form leading up to the Clarence House two weeks ago – and the team are all happy with him still, so let’s hope we cannot fluff our lines.”

Sunday will also see Impaire Et Passe, another of the owners’ 2023 Cheltenham Festival heroes, lock horns with State Man for a second time in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle, attempting to overturn a three-and-a-quarter-length beating from when they met in the Matheson Hurdle at Christmas.

A strong second-day squad will see Closutton’s James Du Berlais drop back in trip for the valuable O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase.

Meanwhile, the day ends with Stuart Crawford bidding to provide Munir and Souede with a third-straight victory in the concluding Coolmore N.H. Sires Hurricane Lane Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race with wide-margin Down Royal scorer Mongibello.

“James Du Berlais ran really well at Christmas in the three-mile handicap chase,” continued Bromley.

“We’re dropping back to two-miles-five on Sunday in the €150,000 race. We’re hoping dropping a couple of furlongs works the oracle, as he showed up well for a very long way and went very well at Christmas and I would be hopeful of a bold show, but it’s a hugely competitive handicap chase.”

He went on: “Mongibello was second on her debut in a Listed bumper and then won very well at Down Royal in a race that is starting to work out.

“There will be plenty more fancied than us in the race, but I think she will run a really solid race and we’ve had a bit of luck in the race with the colours in the past.

“Two years ago, the Crawfords won it with Lily Du Berlais and last year the Mullins father-and-son team won it for us with Fun Fun Fun. It may be asking a bit to make it a hat-trick in the race but Mongibello certainly won’t let us down.”

Hopes for the opening day rest on Intellotto in a red-hot renewal of the Grade One McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle and Ayiko in the concluding Donohue Marquees Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race, with the Dublin Racing Festival arriving at the ideal time for the in-form ‘double green’ team.

They have enjoyed plenty of success over the last seven days, with a double at Naas last Sunday followed by talented novices Anotherway and Mistergif impressing in midweek.

Some of those victors could be set for a step up to better things next time, with Naas bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux set to be pointed towards the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival following his commanding 15-length romp.

“Jasmin De Vaux was a Crawford graduate and we purchased him from Stuart and sent him to Willie and he looked very good in the bumper on Sunday,” said Bromley.

“I imagine all roads lead to Cheltenham for him. You could probably pick holes in the form of the bumper but it was the manner in which he did it which was impressive and he’s a really exciting horse to look forward to.”

A day later, it was Anotherway who was representing the team with distinction as he sauntered his way to success at Punchestown, a win that meant an awful lot to connections.

Anotherway and Paul Townend after winning at Punchestown
Anotherway and Paul Townend after winning at Punchestown (Gary Carson/PA)

Bromley explained: “Anotherway was extremely pleasing because he had severe complications after being gelded as a three-year-old and had to have two big operations, life-saving operations, and to even get him on the track at Christmas was brilliant.

“He blew up a bit then, but he certainly showed the benefit of that at Punchestown and that gave me as much pleasure as anything.

“He is Concertista’s half-brother as well, so that is quite nice and it was a very poignant winner. I don’t think he will necessarily go to Cheltenham but he will be racing at some sort of festival in the spring I suspect.”

Jonbon Cheltenham bound, but Dublin beckons for El Fabiolo

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Nicky Henderson will do his best to “keep a lid” on Jonbon ahead of Saturday’s Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham, where he appears increasingly unlikely to meet old rival El Fabiolo.

The top-class pair have crossed paths twice before, with Jonbon coming out on top in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree in 2022 before the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo took his revenge in the Arkle last March.

The trilogy looked set to take place at Ascot this weekend before freezing temperatures forced Saturday’s fixture to be abandoned – and while Henderson has confirmed Jonbon an intended contender in a rescheduled running at Prestbury Park, connections of El Fabiolo have all but ruled out a trip to the Cotswolds.

Nicky Henderson is looking forward to running Jonbon at Cheltenham
Nicky Henderson is looking forward to running Jonbon at Cheltenham (John Walton/PA)

Of Jonbon, Henderson said: “The one thing he was, was 100 per cent for yesterday and now we’ve got to just keep the lid on him a little bit.

“It’s a bit of a timebomb sometimes and we just let him have a good breeze on Saturday and I didn’t gallop him with another horse yesterday.

“He did the same as everything else, just on his own – he doesn’t need any more and the clock was nicely wound.”

El Fabiolo has an obvious alternative in the form of next month’s Dublin Chase at Leopardstown and with the Clarence House prize-money reduced, he appears almost certain to stay on home soil.

Speaking at Thurles on Sunday, Mullins’ son and assistant Patrick said: “Knowing Willie, he could enter him in the Clarence House, but I think the plan is to go to the Dublin Racing Festival. That is how it looks.”

El Fabiolo on his way to winning the Hilly Way Chase at Cork
El Fabiolo on his way to winning the Hilly Way Chase at Cork (Niall Carson/PA)

Bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was at Lingfield, where he said: “Willie was disappointed that the prize-money dropped and that made the decision a little bit easier.

“There’s a 150,000 euros race at Dublin just a week later and once you had that option, it was a fairly straightforward decision really.

“He was in great form and I was there (Mullins’ yard) this week and they were really pleased with him, so we were really looking forward to it (the Clarence House) if it was on.

“Both owners will be over for the Dublin Racing Festival, we look forward to it each year and personally it is my favourite Festival, as everything is so condensed. I’m sure we will have quite a few runners.”

Should Jonbon and El Fabiolo come through their respective prep runs unscathed, jumps fans can look forward to a mouthwatering rematch in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with Bromley adding: “Hopefully it happens (against Jonbon) in March, it should do.”

Clarence House Chase switched to Cheltenham

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The British Horseracing Authority has announced that the Clarence House Chase has been rescheduled for Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day meeting next weekend.

Just like 12 months ago, Ascot’s card on Saturday was frozen off but the Grade One highlight has been saved.

It was due to feature a heavyweight clash between Jonbon and El Fabiolo, but with the BHA confirming the race will be run for £105,00, a reduction in prize-money of £70,000, it appears El Fabiolo will stay closer to home

Simon Munir, who owns El Fabiolo along with Isaac Souede, told Sportinglife.com: “Unfortunately, with Ascot cancelled due to the weather, the rearranged Clarence House will most probably take place next week on January 27.

El Fabiolo (left) and Jonbon in action as novice hurdlers at Aintree
El Fabiolo (left) and Jonbon in action as novice hurdlers at Aintree (Steven Paston/PA)

“We have decided that El Fabiolo could run at the Dublin Racing Festival on February 4 without the need to travel over to England.”

The Clarence House has been called off three times in the last 11 years due to the weather, with Sprinter Sacre (2013), Un De Sceaux (2017) and Editeur Du Gite (2023) triumphing in rearranged contests at Cheltenham.

Jonbon is likely to be there, with his trainer Nicky Henderson telling ITV Racing before the announcement: “We had discussions yesterday which happened very quickly when Ascot was administered the last rites, one might say, before 4pm.

“We’re very keen to go there. We’re very keen to run, when you have a horse ready for this Saturday, you couldn’t afford not to be near a big peak.

“I was genuinely looking forward to the race on Saturday and it’s sad that it is not going to happen. Whether it might happen next weekend now, I don’t know.

“It looks like there will be a reduction in prize money, but we intend to be there.

“This was going to be a great clash at Ascot. Both teams were well prepped. We were quite bullish, now we’ve got to wait another week when a lot of things could go wrong. One week won’t make a difference but two weeks probably would, as we want to build him back up for March.”

Editeur Du Gite won last year's rescheduled Clarence House at Cheltenham
Editeur Du Gite won last year’s rescheduled Clarence House at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

New entries will need to be made for the race before noon on Monday.

Other races that have been saved following the recent spate of abandonments are the Grade Two Mares Warfield Hurdle (from Ascot) and the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (from Haydock), which will both now be staged at Doncaster next weekend, the Warfield on Sunday and the Rossington Main on Saturday.

Henderson commented on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I would like to say how pleased we are that the Clarence House Chase, the Rossington Main Novice Hurdle and the Warfield Mares Hurdle are all being rescheduled for next week.

“All of these races are very important for our programmes and we would like to thank the BHA for their support in rescheduling under difficult financial and climate circumstances.”

The Listed Alan Swinbank Mares Bumper is being rescheduled for the next Market Rasen fixture on Tuesday, February 6.

Tom Byrne, BHA head of racing and betting, said: “When rescheduling, there are often questions regarding the reduced prize-money values the races are subsequently run for.

“Where a race is added to a pre-existing card at a different racecourse, there are usually significant challenges for that new venue, including the limited time to secure sponsorship support, changing ITV coverage and existing prize-money commitments.

“Therefore, a combination of additional Levy Board and BHA prize-money funds are utilised to support the Racecourse Executive contribution and entry fees to run these races at as high a value as possible. This is usually below the original value due to the limited nature of those additional central funds.”