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 today.
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 perfect.
This story is from the March 12, 2025 edition of The Herald.
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This story is from the March 12, 2025 edition of The Herald.
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