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 today.
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 Sandown, and El Fabiolo successful on his reapthe Tingle Creek at pearance 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.
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