Nicky Henderson says Cheltenham not to blame for Jonbon flop

28 January 2024 , 17:45

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Jonbon (left) is beaten by Elixir De Nutz at Cheltenham in the Clarence House Chase (Image: Getty Images)

Nicky Henderson says a dislike of Cheltenham was not to blame for Jonbon’s shock defeat in the Clarence House Chase on Saturday.

The eight-year-old went off the 1-4 favourite for the My Pension Expert-sponsored Grade 1 test but put in an untidy round of jumping - including a shuddering error at the fourth-last fence - before going under by a neck to 22-1 outsider Elixir De Nutz.

Each of Jonbon’s career losses - he finished second to Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and took the silver medal behind Arkle Challenge Trophy winner El Fabiolo 12 months later - has been at the home of National Hunt racing.

But Henderson cited a victory in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase in November to rebuff suggestions the JP McManus-owned gelding struggles to produce his best at Cheltenham. “He won the Shloer there, don’t forget, so it’s not something that concerns me,” said the master of Seven Barrows.

“He’s had a roll and everything and he’s 100 per cent - he ate up and trotted up sound. We are relieved he’s so good after the tribulations of yesterday.” Henderson expects his stable’s No 1 jockey Nico de Boinville, replaced by James Bowen on Saturday, to be back in action next week.

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De Boinville, sidelined for 23 days with a fractured collarbone before returning at Lingfield Park last Sunday, then stood himself down for the weekend and Henderson added: “He’s taking this quietly and he’s going to to sit still and sit this week out."

Meanwhile Edwardstone will revert to two miles for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday week after a move up in distance backfired at Kempton Park 16 days ago.

Alan King tested the 2022 Arkle Challenge Trophy hero’s credentials for Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase in the two-and-a-half-mile Silviniaco Conti Chase. But Edwardstone trailed home last of four finishers behind Banbridge, and King is leaning towards the Queen Mother Champion Chase for the 10-year-old.

“I was hugely disappointed with him at Kempton, and all the tests afterwards were good,” said the Barbury Castle trainer. “We learned absolutely nothing and my plan, all things being equal, is to take him for the Game Spirit in a fortnight, and then we will see where we are.”

David Yates