Tag Archive for: Jonbon

All-important gallop set to determine whether Constitution Hill runs at Punchestown

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Constitution Hill faces a “crucial” gallop which will decide whether he runs at the Punchestown Festival on May 2 or not.

Nicky Henderson believes it will be easy to tell if the former champion hurdler – who enjoyed himself at the Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday – is in top shape after his falls at Cheltenham and Aintree.

“We had a parade of the old champs in the afternoon, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Coneygree and I actually took Constitution Hill with them,” said Henderson, speaking on Nick Luck’s daily podcast on Monday.

“We were just trying to say ‘go and have a day out, walk round for 10 minutes and come home without getting too battered’, which he has been the last twice. It was a mental game really, I can’t say it made any difference and he just walked round like he does.

“I think he enjoyed the day, he went out yesterday and again this morning, he’s fresh and we’ve got to start making decisions shortly.

“I’m thinking he’s got to have a school and then one piece of work. That piece of work will determine whether we do or we don’t (go to Punchestown), it’s very simple.

“Nico (de Boinville) will have one ride on him, one piece of work and that will tell us. If he’s 100 per cent he will go and if he is 98 (per cent) he won’t, but we’re thinking he’s good.

“I don’t think we need to rethink anything in the autumn, we just start again. There’s only so many things you can do, we’ve had lots of advice needless to say, but he seems very bright at this particular moment.

“That gallop is going to be crucial and everything hinges on that. I hope we’ll be able to (go), so fingers crossed.”

Meanwhile, Henderson could have a part to play in the Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins trainers’ title battle, with Jonbon a likely favourite in the £175,000 bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

“Paddy (Murphy) is very happy with Jonbon, he’ll jump a fence tomorrow which tells him a race is coming,” said Henderson.

“He’s got lost in the Mullins and Skelton thing, but Dan asks every day ‘how’s Jonbon’ as he could hold the key with all that prize-money, Dan is very keen on Jonbon!

“I think it’s great for the game, it’s given National Hunt racing a big kick at the end of the season. Both have got their fans and supporters and everybody is watching all these races, the novice hurdles worth five grand that Dan can win are becoming important.

“We don’t need to export everything, the UK budget has already been moved to Ireland! We’re all very good mates, but Dan deserves to have one.”

Jonbon back to winning ways in Melling Chase

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Jonbon landed the 10th Grade One of his career as he safely retained his My Pension Expert Melling Chase crown at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson’s 4-6 favourite had come unstuck when expected to take the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, having to battle on for a gallant second after a bad mistake compounded problems at the start.

Only four went to post for this two-and-a-half-mile assignment and it did not take Nico de Boinville long before he turned up the heat in front.

Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo was regarded his key rival, but when he came to grief Jonbon was left to see off Dan Skelton’s Protektorat to come out on top, which he duly did, by three and a quarter lengths.

A relieved Henderson – who had endured another fall for Constitution Hill on the opening day of the meeting – said: “The horse is amazing when he’s doing that and Nico was very brave because it’s been a tough little session for all of us. For him to go out and ride him like that, that was a guy who had no fears.

“That Champion Chase doesn’t seem to work for him. It’s a pity as it just went all wrong in Cheltenham, the start went wrong as the tape literally went across his face, he went backwards and then you’re on the back foot from the word go.

“He proved today that he loves doing that. He likes his own space, like a lot of us, but the horse trusts Nico and Nico trusts the horse. They know each other well and it’s lovely to watch.”

On a potential tilt at the King George next season, he said: “Nothing’s impossible. At the end of last year JP (McManus) said ‘we’re a two-miler and we’ll stay at two miles for this year’, but actually we came to Aintree and went two and a half. You’d be a brave man to ride him that way over three miles, but who knows?

“He gets this two and a half well and they’ve gone flat out today. He got a bit tired at the end, but any horse would after going that quick.

“He’s won the Celebration Chase (at Sandown) twice and we’ll look at it. He did go and win after this race last year, but then he hadn’t gone to Cheltenham. We’ll see.”

Meanwhile, a proud Skelton said of Protektorat: “We always say before his races he will turn up for us and do his best and he has done again.

“We’ve tried to beat Jonbon I don’t know how many times now and we’re not quite as good as him, it’s as simple as that – that doesn’t mean we are not extraordinarily proud of our horse.

“He always puts his best foot forward and he’s had a great year. He didn’t quite get as far up the field in the Ryanair as we’d hoped, but he’s come back in with his ears pricked and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

Jonbon aiming to make Aintree amends with Melling repeat

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Cheltenham disappointment is not enough to diminish the affection in which Jonbon is held, as he bids to roar back to top form and defend his My Pension Expert Melling Chase crown at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson’s star performer headed to Prestbury Park seeking the Cheltenham Festival win his dominance of the two-mile chasing division richly deserved, but saw Champion Chase dreams blown apart when a mid-race error allowed Marine Nationale to steal a march and secure top honours.

Having bravely regrouped for second, he now stretches out in trip once again in search of Merseyside compensation, with connections unwavering in their admiration for a horse who has won 17 of his 21 career starts and nine times at the highest level.

“He was great in this race last year and it’s just unfortunate things didn’t work out for him at Cheltenham in the Champion Chase, but that’s the game we’re in,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus.

“Nicky is very happy and he goes there in good form. He’s a smashing horse and it’s hard to get hold of too many like him. He’s been a marvellous horse and we’ve had some great days with him and we hope for another one on Friday, we’re hoping for the best.”

Another horse who has been a great servant for all associated is Protektorat, who will sport the colours of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the back yard of rivals Liverpool on Friday afternoon.

Dan Skelton’s 10-year-old could not repeat his 2024 Ryanair Chase heroics when only fourth at this year’s Festival, but is reported to have bounced out of that recent outing and now seeks to better last year’s two-and-a-half-length third to Jonbon.

“He’s come out of Cheltenham really well and he just does his thing, he’s not a horse who makes life difficult, he just gets on with it,” said Skelton.

“The older he’s got and the more racing he’s had, the more he seems to enjoy himself.

“I don’t think the race suited him at Cheltenham, he just couldn’t quite get into a smooth rhythm like he did the year before. But he never runs a bad race or lets us down and we’re excited to have another go.”

Only four will go to post for the Grade One event with owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede possessing half of the field through Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Matata.

It will be the fourth time El Fabiolo and Jonbon have crossed swords, with the duo fighting out a thrilling finish to the Top Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting in their younger days, although they meet over further than two miles this time.

“It will be a big ask to beat Jonbon who obviously won that race well last year and seemed to relish that trip,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners.

“But both our two didn’t go Cheltenham and they are fresh and well and I think the new trip for Matata will suit him.

“It’s similar for El Fabiolo, who I’m sure is crying out for that trip. It was almost too heavy for him when he was second at Navan last time.

“We’re hoping for good runs, but we’re certainly not underestimating Protektorat as well as Jonbon and it’s a classy race. There is nice prize-money and with only four in it, it’s great to have two vying for a slice of it.”

Jonbon one of small but select field vying for Melling Chase glory

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Jonbon will face just three rivals when he defends his My Pension Expert Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Nicky Henderson’s star chaser successfully stretched out to two and a half miles when claiming this Grade One 12 months ago and will now return to Merseyside seeking compensation for his Champion Chase reversal when second to Marine Nationale at the Cheltenham Festival.

He will lock horns with old adversary El Fabiolo for the first time this season, with Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old one of two for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede alongside Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Matata.

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat, third in this last year and fourth in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, completes the classy quartet heading to post.

The afternoon begins with a clash to savour between Ben Pauling’ Handstands and Paul Nicholls’ Cheltenham Festival hero Caldwell Potter in the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase

Gordon Elliott’s Brown Advisory runner-up Stellar Story and Mullins’ Dancing City add extra spice to a race which sees Polly Gundry’s Don’t Rightly Know step up in grade in search of a four-timer.

Romeo Coolio is another of the Elliott string to place at the Cheltenham Festival heading to Aintree with leading claims, and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third sets the standard in the TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle.

Fergal O’Brien’s Dovecote winner Tripoli Flyer skipped a trip to Prestbury Park and heads the opposition, arriving unbeaten in three, while Salvator Mundi was a respectable fifth in the Festival opener and is another proven performer in what looks a deep novice event.

A full field will face the starter as the professionals get their first taste of the Grand National fences in the Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase, with leading contenders including the Mullins-trained pair of James Du Berlais and Blue Lord.

There are 16 declarations for the final Grade One of the afternoon, the Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, which sees Henderson’s Sidney Banks scorer Califet En Vol popular in the early betting along with course scorer Mister Meggit who will represent Jonjo and AJ O’Neill.

Jonbon leads field of eight for Melling Chase repeat bid

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Jonbon will face a maximum of eight rivals when he seeks to defend his My Pension Expert Melling Chase title at Aintree next Friday.

Nicky Henderson’s star chaser had no issue with stretching out to two-and-a-half miles when seeing off Conflated and Dan Skelton’s reopposing Protektorat to claim this prize 12 months ago and will be out to gain compensation for his Champion Chase reversal when returning to Merseyside.

Jonbon’s old rival El Fabiolo, Gaelic Warrior and Embassy Gardens could all represent Willie Mullins in opposition with Henry de Bromhead’s Ryanair Chase runner-up Heart Wood another possible Irish raider.

Evan Williams’ Champion Chase faller Libberty Hunter, his Newbury conqueror Master Chewy and Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained stablemate Matata complete the nine entries for the Grade One event.

Cheltenham Festival winners Caldwell Potter (Paul Nicholls), Myretown (Lucinda Russell) and Jango Baie (Henderson) feature amongst the 17 entries for the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase, with the latter’s Sandown conqueror, Ben Pauling’s Handstands, another notable name.

Gordon Elliott’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third Romeo Coolio is the headline draw in the Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle, while there are 21 entries for the other top-level contest on the card, the Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

Henderson sets sights on Aintree with Jonbon

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Nicky Henderson expects to run Jonbon next at Aintree after his Festival defeat.

The nine-year-old was one of four odds-on big-race favourites beaten at Cheltenham, in his case the Queen Mother Champion Chase, although he ran a gallant race in taking second after problems at the start and a juddering mistake at the fifth-last.

The My Pension Expert Melling Chase over two and a half miles on April 4 will now be his port of call at the Grand National meeting.

“It wasn’t so much the mistake itself going down the back, it was the start and that really got us into the wrong position from the word go,” said the Seven Barrows handler.

“That was frustrating, to be honest with you, but there you go. He got behind early on and he just loves to be up there attacking and he just couldn’t get there from where he was.

“He’s fine, he’s got to go again and I think he would go to Aintree. Two and a half miles certainly isn’t a worry. I’d have thought that’s where we’d go, and he loves Sandown.

“I suppose everyone will go back to ‘he doesn’t like Cheltenham’. It’s got nothing to do with it, he’s perfectly happy around Cheltenham, he just doesn’t get any luck there.

“A bit further wouldn’t hurt him, so we’ve got that to come at Aintree.”

On the opening day of Cheltenham, Henderson had endured defeat for his other stable star, Constitution Hill, who left Prestbury Park in shock when he crashed out in the Champion Hurdle.

A trip to Punchestown on May 2 remains on the table for him.

Henderson told Racing TV: “He’s going to have to just go back to school for a moment, but that’s not a problem. We’ll do that and think about what we do next. He’ll run again, where we’ll go I’m not quite sure, but I’d have thought Punchestown is most likely.

“It’s the most obvious thing to do, the one thing you have to be careful of in May is the ground is the worry, but I’m sure they’ll do a good job there. I’d have thought all going well that will be the plan.”

Standing start hitch put Jonbon on the back foot says De Boinville

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Nico de Boinville raised the possibility of the standing start being a contributory factor behind Jonbon’s defeat in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Having won 17 of his 20 starts, the only thing missing from Jonbon’s CV was a Cheltenham Festival victory, but all three of those defeats had come at the track.

He had sort of put the theory of not acting at Cheltenham to bed with two victories in the Shloer Chase, but any chance he had of winning the big one evaporated with a jolting mistake at halfway which brought him to a standstill.

It was to his immense credit that he got going again to claim second behind Marine Nationale, although he would have finished third had Quilixios not fallen at the last.

As the starter was not happy to let the field go at their initial attempt, it meant a standing start was required, with the tape being very close to Jonbon’s nose, which De Boinville felt put him immediately on the back foot.

“I’d say it never really went right from the start really,” said De Boinville.

“We were stood up against the tape, the tape pinged back and it went underneath his nose, which just sort of startled him for a second, then you are on the back foot and they’ve gone hard.

“I’d say there was a stride at five out but I’d say he might have just lost his sight slightly. He’s some horse to still finish second.”

Henderson, who famously struggles with his eyesight, said: “You know what I’m like, I haven’t seen a thing. I’ve only watched it live. I honestly haven’t seen the error.

“Nico was saying he got a fright at the start and that put him on the back foot before he started. He missed his kick and we were where we didn’t want to be.

“The fact he was able to run on and still finish second speaks volumes.

“After Constitution Hill yesterday, this is hard but we’ve learned to live with it after all these years.

“I’d say the start contributed to the mistake and you know what it’s like in these top two-mile chases. A lot would have chucked in the towel.

“You know what I can see and that is not a lot, so I’d need to watch it all again.”

Emotional Cheltenham scenes, as Marine Nationale takes Champion Chase crown

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There were emotional scenes at the Cheltenham Festival as Marine Nationale honoured the memory of the late Michael O’Sullivan by galloping to BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase glory.

O’Sullivan will always be inextricably linked with Barry Connell’s stable star, having steered the eight-year-old to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success in 2023. And barely a month after the young jockey’s tragic death following injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, Marine Nationale returned to the Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure once again.

Sent off the 5-1 second-favourite in the hands of Sean Flanagan, Marine Nationale was ridden in mid-pack as dual winner Energumene set off from the front, quickly joined by Quilixios and the forward-going Solness.

There was real drama at the fifth-last when Nicky Henderson’s 5-6 favourite Jonbon made an error which ultimately put paid to his chances and the rest of the field sensed the opportunity, as Flanagan moved his mount into the ideal position to strike heading down the hill after three out.

Energumene’s challenge would soon peter out, with Quilixios and Marine Nationale seemingly left to fight out the finish, but having jumped the last in unison, Henry de Bromhead’s charge crumpled on landing, to leave Flanagan and Marine Nationale to soak up the adulation as they headed up the hill for home.

Sean Flanagan returns after winning the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
Sean Flanagan returns after winning the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Mike Egerton/PA)

To his credit, Jonbon kept on for second, but he was some 18 lengths adrift of the emphatic winner, who provided the most fitting victor of the day two feature.

Connell said: “It’s very poignant and it’s very raw, the whole thing with Michael over the last three or four weeks has been absolutely horrible and my thoughts and prayers are with the family, his friends and his girlfriend.

“I think this is hopefully a fitting tribute to him.

He went on: “He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to go pro, he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer, leading rider on the first day (of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival) and leading conditional.

“I’ve asked some of the racing historians and I don’t think they can find anyone else who did all that.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Style Wednesday – Cheltenham Racecourse
Marine Nationale in the winner’s enclosure with trainer Barry Connell (third right), jockey Sean Flanagan (second left) and Charlotte Giles (fourth left) girlfriend of the late Michael O’Sullivan (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us, but he has a record he can be really proud of. He achieved more in his lifetime than a lot of riders who get to ride for a lot longer achieve.

“I’d like to dedicate this win to Michael and his girlfriend Charlotte, who is here.

“Our hearts go out to all his family and his friends and his girlfriend, racing is a great community and gets behind people when things like this happen.”

Flanagan said: “All the jockeys in Ireland, and in England and the rest of the world, have been under a cloud for the last couple of weeks.

“I’m only the man that steered him round today, Michael is the man who made him what he is. He’ll never be forgotten for that.”

He added: “It’s every race, race by race, I made a hash of the last race and I’m just lucky I could get on this lad. He comes alive when he comes here and it’s all credit to all the people back at Barry’s.”

Henderson has no Cheltenham fears for Jonbon

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Nicky Henderson is adamant Jonbon is more than capable of producing his best around Cheltenham, as his prolific Grade One winner bids for a first Festival success at the age of nine in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.

Jonbon has been a superstar for owner JP McManus since he parted with £570,000 for the brother to Douvan and he is a rare example in National Hunt racing of a very expensive horse looking a bargain.

He has won 17 races out of 20 under rules, with all three defeats coming at Cheltenham, albeit the first of those can be excused as he was up against Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

The following year he was second in the Arkle to El Fabiolo, while he made several jolting errors when beaten narrowly in the rearranged Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham last season. There are two victories in the Shloer Chase, run at Prestbury Park, on his record though and this season he has been foot-perfect.

“We think he is exactly where he should be and he wants to be, everything has gone right,” said Henderson.

“People have doubts about him around Cheltenham, and around Sandown he is just spectacular. But left-handed, right-handed, it makes no difference and he is perfectly capable of going left and he’s won the Shloer Chase the last two years. He’s in good shape and everything has gone well.

“There will be plenty of pace, which he doesn’t mind, as long as they go a good gallop he will be happy.”

Next best in the betting is Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale, who would be a deeply emotional winner.

Two years ago jockey Michael O’Sullivan partnered him to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for his finest hour in the saddle. O’Sullivan sadly died last month from injuries suffered in a fall at Thurles, aged just 24.

Barry Connell (left) with Michael O'Sullivan after Marine Nationale's Supreme win
Barry Connell (left) with Michael O’Sullivan after Marine Nationale’s Supreme win (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Going to Cheltenham will be a huge plus for him, as he is so placid and he handles the place really well,” said Connell.

“His work has been excellent this year and looking at the profile of all the horses in there this year, he probably has the most scope for additional improvement.

“We started him off small at Naas and he ran a nice race and then he took a huge improvement at Leopardstown at Christmas and I’d say he then improved another 10lb when second at the Dublin Racing Festival and jumped brilliantly both times.

“He’s got the right profile and has won a Grade One around there, so another 7/10lb improvement and I think he will be right there.”

Paul Townend celebrates Energumene's victory two years ago
Paul Townend celebrates Energumene’s victory two years ago (David Davies/PA)

Willie Mullins’ Energumene is a dual winner of the race but was put in his place by Jonbon in the Clarence House at Ascot.

His trainer is banking on a return to Cheltenham being in the 11-year-old’s favour, although he seems unlikely to have the ground in his favour.

“Jonbon is way better at Ascot and Energumene is better at Cheltenham, that’s my hope,” he said.

One who has emerged as a real contender this year is Joseph O’Brien’s Solness, who since making no impression behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek has won two Grade Ones in Ireland.

“We never would have expected at the start of the season he would win two Grade Ones, but there has been gradual improvement from race to race all season,” said O’Brien.

“It was obviously a really nice performance at Christmas at Leopardstown, but then you’re never quite sure what is going to happen when it comes to backing that up.

“He did back it up at the Dublin Racing Festival and marked himself out as a serious Champion Chase competitor.”

Another previous winner is the Henry de Bromhead-trained Captain Guinness who benefited from El Fabiolo’s no-show in the race 12 months ago.

Rachael Blackmore returns victorious on Captain Guinness 12 months ago
Rachael Blackmore returns victorious on Captain Guinness 12 months ago (David Davies/PA)

“I think we all felt we saw a glimmer of hope the last day in Leopardstown, which is a place he hates. I think you’re better looking at him at the second-last than at the line and we felt he was running well until then, but that last furlong just kills him,” said De Bromhead.

“He just about gets the two miles, so we’ll have him the best that we can. Last year was incredible, he deserved it and the owners deserved it as they’re great supporters.

“He loves Cheltenham, as when he gets into jumping at speed that’s his gig.”

Jonbon tops eight chasing Champion Chase crown

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Hot favourite Jonbon and previous winners Captain Guinness and Energumene are among eight runners declared for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Although beaten in two previous Festival appearances, having chased home stablemate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle three years ago and El Fabiolo in the Arkle the following season, Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon is a odds-on across the board to make it third time lucky at the showpiece meeting.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old did not take part in last year’s Champion Chase, but has since established himself as the leading light in the division by winning his second Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, his second Tingle Creek at Sandown and his first Clarence House Chase at Ascot.

Paul Townend celebrates winning the 2023 Champion Chase on Energumene
Paul Townend celebrates winning the 2023 Champion Chase on Energumene (Tim Goode/PA)

Energumene provided Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with back-to-back victories in this race in 2022 and 2023, but was unable to bid for the hat-trick last term due to injury.

The 11-year-old returned from a year and a half off the track with victory in the Hilly Way at Cork in December, but was firmly put in his place by Jonbon at Ascot in January.

Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness struck gold 12 months in a race which saw only three of the six runners complete the course. Following a largely disappointing season thus far, he is among the outsiders this time around.

Solness has impressed in winning last two races at Leopardstown
Solness has impressed in winning last two races at Leopardstown (Damien Eagers/PA)

Solness has shown the best form in Ireland so far this season, dominating two Grade One races from the front at Leopardstown for Joseph O’Brien.

Marine Nationale finished third and second in those races and his owner-trainer Barry Connell will be hoping he can turn the tables at the scene of his brilliant Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victory of two years ago under the late Michael O’Sullivan.

De Bromhead’s Quilixios and Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty complete the Irish challenge, with the Evan Williams-trained Libberty Hunter carrying Welsh hopes.

McCoy backing Jonbon to give McManus first taste of Champion Chase glory

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Sir Anthony McCoy is backing Jonbon to deliver a knockout blow to his BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase rivals and break his Cheltenham Festival duck in the process.

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old has only been beaten three times in 20 races under rules, but all of those defeats have come at Prestbury Park, including two previous losses at National Hunt racing’s showpiece event.

However, there was no disgrace in being second best behind superstar stablemate Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme and El Fabiolo was another formidable opponent at the time of their Arkle clash 12 months later.

Last season’s Clarence House Chase defeat at Cheltenham by Elixir De Nutz was disappointing, but Jonbon does have a couple of course wins on his card and returns there on the back of rock-solid Grade One strikes at Sandown and Ascot.

Highflyer Chase Day – Warwick Racecourse
AP McCoy, Aidan Coleman and Nicky Henderson with Jonbon (David Davies/PA).

William Hill ambassador McCoy – who won an epic renewal of this race when Edredon Bleu short-headed Direct Route in 2000 – said: “I absolutely love Jonbon and I would love to ride him in a Champion Chase.

“I think he’s absolutely tailor-made for the test it presents, because he’s a real strong stayer who jumps well – he’s almost like a better version of Edredon Bleu.

“There’s also a bit of Floyd Mayweather about him – he only just does enough, but he’s a hell of a winner. As far as this year’s race, I just think he wins.”

McCoy enjoyed great success when number one rider for Jonbon’s owner JP McManus and is still associated with the famous green and gold colours.

He added: “Jonbon is obviously one we’re really hoping can get the job done this year. He’s been a special horse for JP, and I think it’d be fitting if he were to be the first horse to win a Champion Chase for JP. That would be a big box ticked, for sure.”

McCoy is confident the McManus team have made the right decision in running Willie Mullins’ Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase, rather than taking on Galopin Des Champ for the fourth time this term in the Gold Cup.

Punchestown Races – Sunday November 24th
Fact To File racing against Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown (Niall Carson/PA).

Fact To File came out on top when they met in the John Durkan at Punchestown in November but has since been put in his place by his stablemate in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

“I’d say that this year, the right race for him is the Ryanair,” said McCoy, speaking at a William Hill preview night.

“I know that a few people have said that they think his form might’ve regressed this season since the John Durkan, but I think he’s been ridden to try to beat Galopin Des Champs and, as we know, that’s an unbelievably tall order, particularly around Leopardstown.

“Looking at the rest of them in the Ryanair, the one that could totally take the race by storm is Il Est Francais. He put up a really bold display at Kempton, but you’d have question marks about how the undulations at Cheltenham would suit him. You’d also worry about him having bled before too.

“Protektorat is fairly solid as the defending champion, but if I had to ride one of them, it’d have to be Fact To File. And that’s not because JP owns him, it’s that he’s got great Festival form, and the drop back in trip should be perfect for him.”

Horse Racing – 2011 Christmas Festival – Lexus Chase Day – Leopardstown Racecourse
AP McCoy with JP McManus during his riding days (Niall Carson/PA).

McManus again has a whole host of fancied runners at Cheltenham and shows no signs of easing off in his pursuit of Festival success, having made mid-season purchases of The New Lion and The Wallpark.

“As regards JP, it really was such a pleasure to ride for him because he just loves horses,” said McCoy. “That’s what it comes down to with him – the love and respect for the animal.

“At every level, you know. He loves coming down and seeing the young three- and four-year-olds, thinking that they might be the next Synchronised, Jonbon or Istabraq.

“You see a lot of owners come into the sport – they have a few nice days in the sun, enjoy the attention that comes with it and love the big days. With JP, it’s so much deeper than that.

“He has a genuine, open-hearted love for the horse, and you just know his horses mean the absolute world to him. He loves the Cheltenham Festival, too – so riding for him there was just the biggest privilege and the best job in the world.”

Jonbon all set for Champion Chase mission

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Jonbon will face a maximum of 10 rivals when he bids to break his Cheltenham Festival duck in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday.

Nicky Henderson’s star two-mile chaser has so far chased home his illustrious stablemate Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before finding El Fabiolo too strong in the Arkle 12 months later.

The nine-year-old missed last year’s Festival and his only three career defeats from 20 starts have come at Cheltenham, but he is still a dual winner at the track and is the hot favourite to add to his tally on his return to the Cotswolds next week.

Jonbon during a stable visit at Seven Barrows in Lambourn
Jonbon during a stable visit at Seven Barrows in Lambourn (Adam Davy/PA)

After deciding against leaving in Bloody Destiny, El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior at the confirmation stage, Willie Mullins will rely solely on dual Champion Chase hero Energumene.

Also absent from last year’s Festival, the 11-year-old will belatedly get the chance to complete his hat-trick, but was no match for Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January.

Barry Connell has high hopes for stable star Marine Nationale, while Solness is a major player for Joseph O’Brien following successive Grade One wins at Leopardstown.

French ace Il Est Francais has been left in by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, but appears more likely to contest Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.

Il Est Francais in action at Kempton
Il Est Francais in action at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

George told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s in great form, he had a little blowout on the sand this morning and schooled well on Tuesday, so we’re ready to rock and roll.

“We’re very much looking Ryanair-bound. We’ll leave him in the Champion Chase, just in case anything happens over the next couple of days, but we’re very much looking forward to the Ryanair, I think, and it’s all very exciting.

“It looks like it’s very dry. My dad (Tom George) is not far from Cheltenham and he says even his schooling ground is drying up a lot.

“I even heard they might be watering there today, depending on what rain they’re going to get. That all bodes well for him because he likes good ground and the main thing is he’s in great form.”

The potential Champion Chase field is completed by last year’s winner Captain Guinness (Henry de Bromhead), Found A Fifty (Gordon Elliott), JPR One (Joe Tizzard), Libberty Hunter (Evan Williams), Master Chewy (Nigel Twiston-Davies) and Quilixios (De Bromhead).

Jonbon ready to stake Champion Chase claim

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Nicky Henderson is confident Jonbon can finally silence the doubters by making it third time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old has a brilliant record by anyone’s standards, having won 17 of his 20 starts under rules, while he is 12 from 14 over fences.

While all three of his defeats have come at Cheltenham, he was best of the rest behind his esteemed stablemate Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and 12 months later he bumped into an on-song El Fabiolo in the Arkle.

A shuddering error ultimately led to his odds-on reverse in a rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham last year – and having missed last season’s Champion Chase when the Seven Barrows team was under a cloud, Henderson hopes he can prove his status as the king of the two-mile division after settling his Clarence House score at Ascot last month.

Nicky Henderson (centre) with Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (right)
Nicky Henderson (centre) with Constitution Hill (left) and Jonbon (right) (Adam Davy/PA)

“I think he got the recognition he deserved at Ascot. It took a while, when you think he’s won eight or nine Grade Ones,” the trainer said on Monday.

“He’s an entertaining character. He did nothing wrong last year except for make one mistake in the Clarence House at Cheltenham, other than he couldn’t turn up at the Festival and that was a pity.

“I suppose that’s why he’s got forgotten a little bit, because he wasn’t there last year, and in all fairness the Champion Chase last year wasn’t exactly an epic, was it?

“He wasn’t there and El Fabiolo was determined to put holes in fences. It was a bit of a flop race really and if Jonbon had been there, you’d have to say it mightn’t have been the hardest race he ever had.

“But he wasn’t there and I suppose you’ve got to win the Champion Chase and then you can be a champion, and he deserves to.”

When pressed again about Jonbon’s suitability for Cheltenham, Henderson replied: “He’s won two Shloer Chases and you can’t blame the Clarence House defeat on him not acting round Cheltenham. He just made one shocking mistake and he was very lucky to stand up that day.

“He goes round anywhere, we know he loves Sandown but I thought it was a very good performance at Ascot.”

New Year’s Day Racing – Cheltenham Racecourse – Wednesday January 1st
Lucky Place en route to Relkeel victory (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Henderson has another feature-race contender in the shape of Lucky Place, who has made the most of an unplanned second hurdling campaign when collecting Ascot Hurdle and Relkeel Hurdle titles so far.

He bids for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival, but is only present in the division because the stable had so many novice chasing prospects that some had to remain over the smaller obstacles to avoid continually running them against one another.

The trainer explained: “There was a problem that has possibly worked in our favour, he was meant to go novice chasing, he was all schooled up and ready to go, he’d jumped beautifully, but at the time we had a whole string of them.

“It was just trying to find races for them, three of them have ended up going back over hurdles purely because there weren’t the opportunities for them to go over fences

“At the last minute I just popped him in the Ascot Hurdle as there was nowhere to go over fences. He’s just a very, very likeable, straightforward, uncomplicated, nice horse. He’d be very high on my list.”

The Christmas Meeting – Cheltenham Racecourse – Friday December 13th
Jango Baie on his chasing debut (David Davies/PA)

Jango Baie may step into the big shoes left vacant by Sir Gino, who was Henderson’s Arkle hope before a hind leg infection ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

The misfortune does create an opportunity for his stablemate, however, who won his chasing debut by a good margin and was then beaten a short head in the Scilly Isles at Sandown.

A step up from those two-and-a-half-mile trips was up for discussion, but now Sir Gino is sidelined it seems a step down to two miles for the Arkle is more likely.

Henderson said: “Our original thought was that Jango Baie is probably a two-and-a-half-mile horse and looking at it now, I think he’s more likely to come down rather than go up.

“I’m sure he’d stay three miles and that is the dilemma, but he goes a good gallop and I thought he was really good at Sandown. A short head is a short head, but that was in horrible ground and I thought he jumped beautifully.

“He is accurate and better ground will suit. We were thinking two and a half and go up to three, but Sir Gino has left the Arkle door open from our point of view and I think that’s the way we would be thinking.”

Newbury Races – Saturday February 8th
Joyeuse coming home at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

One horse who is a doubtful part of the Cheltenham squad is Joyeuse, an eight-length winner of Newbury’s William Hill Hurdle who may now have the Morebattle at Kelso in her sights.

“The idea is the Morebattle Hurdle, that’s where I’m thinking. It’s a very valuable race,” Henderson said.

“OK, she can’t run in a handicap at Cheltenham because she hasn’t had enough runs, but the Morebattle Hurdle is worth more than the County Hurdle.

“I think a day out in Kelso – we’ll see.”

Irish Champion drama leaves Henderson guessing on Closutton threats

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Nicky Henderson was as frustrated as anyone that the Irish Champion Hurdle concluded in the manner it did at the weekend, as he fine-tunes Constitution Hill ahead of his bid to reclaim the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With Willie Mullins running his two best hurdlers against each other at Leopardstown on Sunday, the Closutton pecking order looked set to become a good deal clearer.

However, with Lossiemouth taking a crashing fall, almost bringing State Man down in the process, the race effectively ended as a contest and Henderson was left none the wiser as to who his main threat will be on the opening day of the Festival.

“It took the gloss off the race, as we’d all liked to have seen what happened between Lossiemouth and State Man,” he said.

Constitution Hill had Lossiemouth (grey) behind him at Kempton
Constitution Hill had Lossiemouth (grey) behind him at Kempton (Steven Paston/PA)

“Willie’s heart must have been in his mouth when she came down as she was very close to bringing State Man down.

“It gave State Man a nice, easy race as they were going very hard and it looked like being extremely interesting. I gather she is all right which is the most important thing.

“They need to decide which way they go with her (Mares’ Hurdle or Champion), from our point of view we keep calm, sit still and make sure we’re in good shape for whatever attacks us.

“I’m worried about all the challengers, we’ve got to do our own thing and whatever comes, comes. If Brighterdaysahead comes she would ensure a good, sound gallop – which probably means they’ll hold her up now!

“We’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves now, that is probably the last we’ll see of any of the protagonists before March. We’re happy where we are and let’s hope it stays that way.”

Jonbon has proved tough to beat so far this season
Jonbon has proved tough to beat so far this season (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson also houses the favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase in Jonbon, who beat Solness in the Tingle Creek, form very well advertised since by Joseph O’Brien’s improver who has come out and won two Grade Ones.

“I can always see things to worry about! Solness was very good, he’s been progressing all season,” Henderson told Sky Sports Racing.

“Jonbon is very happy to go the pace he wants to go, he’ll go on but if somebody wants to go quicker than that, and Solness looks like one that might, then so be it, we’ll get a lead.

“If he goes a good gallop he might take some pegging back, but there are plenty of others too.”

McCoy rates Jonbon worthy Champion Chase favourite

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Sir Anthony McCoy has hailed Jonbon after his decisive Clarence House Chase success and says he has earned the right to head to the Cheltenham Festival as favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s latest two-mile chasing superstar enhanced his ever-growing portfolio with a flawless display at Ascot last weekend, brushing aside Willie Mullins’ Energumene to pick up the ninth Grade One of his impeccable career.

It was a performance that saw the bookmakers running for cover, with Jonbon now as short as evens in places for the day two feature at National Hunt’s showpiece meeting.

A 10th top-level triumph for Jonbon at Prestbury Park in March would be his first at the Cheltenham Festival and McCoy is hopeful he can now erase that hoodoo after producing arguably a career best at Ascot.

McCoy said: “He’s a very good horse, isn’t he? He shows up every day and what is there not to like about Jonbon? He’s won 17 of his 20 races and he’s a proper racehorse.

“He’s definitely the one to beat at Cheltenham and he hasn’t put a foot wrong all season. He looked as good as, if not better than ever at Ascot and you just wouldn’t mind a few more Jonbons.

“He’s just a very good horse and hopefully he will go on and get that Cheltenham win.”

Sir Anthony McCoy in the winner's enclosure after Jonbon's Ascot win
Sir Anthony McCoy in the winner’s enclosure after Jonbon’s Ascot win (Steven Paston/PA)

Owned by McCoy’s former boss JP McManus, it has often been said Jonbon’s aggressive style of racing would have made a perfect match for the 20-time champion jockey, who rode 31 winners at the Cheltenham Festival and enjoyed an unforgettable Champion Chase success aboard Henrietta Knight’s Edredon Bleu in 2000.

However, McCoy – still a key part of the McManus operation following his retirement from the saddle – simply believes the nine-year-old is a horse anyone would dream of riding and harked back to a saying from his old ally Martin Pipe to quantify Jonbon’s achievements.

He told the PA news agency: “I think anyone would like to ride Jonbon, I think even the postman would like to ride Jonbon.

“He’s just a very good horse and a very intelligent horse. Martin Pipe used to say ‘what does a good horse look like, well he’s one with a lot of ones by his name’ – Jonbon has plenty of those and he’s just a very cool horse.”