We were expecting the big two in the Queen Mother Champion Chase market to arrive at the Cheltenham Festival unbeaten for the season, but as Jonbon blundered away his chances in the rearranged Grade 1 Clarence House Chase on Trials Day at Cheltenham at the weekend, the number 2 appeared on his form card for the first time this term.
As a result, old rival El Fabiolo shortened into a deeper shade of odds-on ahead of the Champion Chase in March, with Jonbon pushed out to a best-price 4/1, though still in a clear second position in the market. Yet, if anything, there was significant reason for connections to take heart from the race.
Jonbon had been jumping slowly for the majority of the race, something nobody connected to the horse could be positive about, but a jarring mistake at the fourth from home all but unseated James Bowen. That he not only regained his footing, but also took up the running again heading to the last was a minor miracle.
But for requiring an extra stride to take off at the last, he may have had enough to repel the renewed challenge of Elixir De Nutz, who instead forged ahead up the hill to give Joe Tizzard a first Grade 1 winner. The glaring jumping errors would obviously need no repeating if he is to challenge in March, but the levels of his ability may even be higher than previously thought due to his determination.
Then again, we are only to see the full mettle of El Fabiolo this weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is a likely runner in the Grade 1 2m1f Dublin Chase on Sunday, a race in which his trainer Willie Mullins has won all six editions. Another uncomplicated victory there could even see his price shorten further and give Nicky Henderson an even greater headache as to how to get Jonbon home in front come March 13th.