Nicky Henderson has told the Racing Post that it would be his “dearest wish” to see Jonbon win at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jonbon is one of the most talented and successful two milers to ever come out of Seven Barrows. The Walk In The Park gelding has won twenty out of his twenty seven races, with a further seven seconds.
Five of those 2nd’s have come at Cheltenham, with three coming at the Festival in March. The first was when 22 lengths behind Constitution Hill in the Supreme. He was then second to an inspired El Fabiolo in the Arkle the following year.
Jonbon completed the trio of festival 2nd’s when 18 lengths behind Marine Nationale in last years Champion Chase. There is the argument he simply isn’t at his best around there, except he was a nine-length winner of the Shloer in 2023.
Jonbon has won a remarkable twelve Grade 1s, but he still lacks that elusive festival success.
Ryanair trip to break Cheltenham duck
Beyond two miles, Jonbon’s race record reads 111 including his peak RPR of 173.
He achieved that rating at Aintree over 2m4f last season, easily beating the classy Protektorat. He also went up to 2m5f at Ascot last month, and gamely beat Pic D’Orhy in his own backyard.
If turning up, a lot will depend on the participation of the others as to which race it may be with Henderson admitting: “I don’t know where will run next.
“It depends on a lot of things. Primarily, he had two quick races which were both tough and he had big battles on his hands. There are also a lot of other horses in the melting pot and we’ll see which way they go.”
The later comment may be referring to the owners’ decision of where Fact To File will run, who could be supplemented for the Gold Cup. He was an easy winner the Ryanair last season, but his Irish Gold Cup performance could see him re-routed. His participation will also hinge on where his stablemate Gaelic Warrior will run, who was comfortably beaten at Leopardstown.
Henderson stated: “it would be very sad, if after all these fantastic races, he doesn’t win there.
“There’s nothing wrong with Cheltenham, but he just deserves a win.”
If he wasn’t to turn up in March, then Aintree and Punchestown come in to the equation.
The racing world would love to see Jonbon gain that festival success, but there’s the suspicion that similar to Shishkin, who was second in the Ryanair in 2023, it may have come all too late in his advancing years.