Nicky Henderson is confident in Jonbon‘s chances in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase this weekend. His 11-time Grade 1 winner will be stepping up in distance should he take part in the 2m5f contest, having almost exclusively raced over the minimum trip of 2m during his career so far.
Jonbon won his 11th Grade 1 in Berkshire last month in an attritional edition of the Clarence House Chase. His staying power won the day in January when overcoming odds-on favourite Il Etait Temps and speedy front-runner Thistle Ask.
He has long been a horse who has threatened to be even better when upped in distance. Now, Henderson believes the time is right to explore that possibility in a contest he has a decent history in.
“I think there’s even more to come, and I’d be staggered if he doesn’t stay,” Henderson told the Racing Post. He’s running over the trip I think he’ll love.”
“He stands the test,” says Henderson
Jonbon has twice won Aintree’s Melling Chase over 2m4f, the only two occasions he has raced over a trip that far under rules. However, as much of a hindrance could be the relatively quick turnaround from his Clarence House victory, while his chances in the Ryanair Chase could also be diminished with just 26 days between the Ascot Chase and that Cheltenham Festival race this season.
Henderson, however, believes the regularity of his racing will only benefit the ten-year-old.
“He’s backed up like this before, so he stands the test. In the past ten days, Paddy [Murphy, Jonbon’s work-rider at home] has been telling me he’s fantastic, and he’s done everything we’ve wanted him to do.
“He’s in great form, and he worked superbly on Saturday. We’ll school him on Tuesday, as we always do before his races, and we’re happy with him. He’s a wise old owl now, so I suspect he’s getting quite used to this.”
A 12th Grade 1 success could well be in the offing for Jonbon. Rivalling him could be Pic d’Orhy (winner for the last two years) and a possible runner from Paul Nicholls’ yard. Regardless of the result, the ten-year-old is looking to join a healthy Seven Barrows team for Cheltenham including the likes of Lulamba and former Champion Hurdle Constitution Hill.