The Group 1 Clarence House Chase returned to Ascot for the first time in three years, with Jonbon and Energumene, the beaten favourites in the last two runnings heading the market and, in the end, the race itself.
Jonbon (Nico De Boinville ) wins the Clarence House Chase (Pic – Coolmore)
Nicky Henderson’s charge was taken to the front early on by Nico De Boinville and he was never to be headed despite Energumene keeping close tabs on him.
Turning in there was still very much a race on but the 8/13 favourite gradually broke his eleven-year-old rival and by the time he flew the last, the race was his.
At the line he was six lengths clear and moments later was cut to 11/8 favouritism for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Nico de Boinville said: “The race went fairly smoothly. I felt I was only doing a half speed, but I think we were trapping along really.”
“I think you have seen the usual Jonbon as he is just so consistent. He is a fantastic horse and a horse of a lifetime really.”
Henderson noted: “It is not the Champion Chase today, but that was the right to earn the place as favourite for the race. Energumene has been a good horse over the years, and he might be getting a bit older, but he is still a very good horse.”
Earlier on the card, the well-touted Lulamba, who had already shortened dramatically for the Triumph Hurdle even before running this season, shortened significantly once more after giving 10lbs and a three and a half-length beating to the well-touted Mondo Man in the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle.
The Nicky Henderson trained runner was well on top at the line and can only improve for the run. Henderson’s fine weekend continued when Jingko Blue maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Gr2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor on Sunday.
After making a triumphant start over fences at Uttoxeter 40 days ago the gelded son of Great Pretender was sent off the 4/9 favourite to add to that tally in the three-mile contest which was re-routed from Warwick earlier this month.
A major error at the final fence on the first circuit failed to halt his momentum as he tracked a good early pace set by second favourite, Lowry’s Bar. However, the complexion of the race changed three out when Lowry’s Bar blundered his chances and from there on Jingo Blue was away and gone.
Meeting the last on a good stride, Jingko Blue ran on strongly all the way to the finish to score by two and a quarter lengths and give Henderson his first winner back at the track since jump racing returned to the course last month.
An outing in the Gr2 Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on February 15 is next on his agenda ahead of the Gr1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
