Jonbon, currently the ante-post favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, takes his next step towards that goal on Saturday at Ascot.
The JP McManus-owned star can confirm himself king of the two-mile chasers with victory over Energumene in the Gr1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase (17h32).
Flashback – Jonbon (Jack Kennedy) wins the Gr2 Schloer Chase at Cheltenham in November 2023 (Pic – Coolmore)
He was narrowly denied in this contest last year when jumping poorly, beaten a neck. That was his sole defeat in seven starts last season, and the Nicky Henderson charge is selected to go one better on Saturday.
Jonbon has started this season in his customary winning fashion, taking the Shloer Chase – when he beat the reopposing Edwardstone and Boothill – and the Tingle Creek on his two runs to date, with the latter effort particularly impressive.
He meets a new rival in Energumene this time and the dual Champion Chase hero merits respect after returning from a season-long layoff with victory in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork last month.
Second behind Henderson’s Shishkin in one of the great hurdle spectacles this century two-years ago, the Willie Mullins raider enjoys setting a solid pace and will ensure Jonbon has had a race.
However, drying ground will certainly favour Jonbon who is pretty versatile, while Energumene has shown his best when the mud is flying and might just find this too much of a speed test.
Earlier on the card, Lulamba can take the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle (14h30) on his debut for Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville.
Already a winner in France, having triumphed by five lengths back in October, and he was all the rage in the Triumph Hurdle betting (Cheltenham Festival) last week ahead of an intended debut at Kempton’s cancelled meeting.
The Willie Mullins trained Kargese acquitted herself well in Group 1 company last season when racing against the boys, and she looks like another favourite to oblige in the BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle (15h40).
She takes on six rivals and looking back at her runner-up finishes behind Sir Gino and Majborough in Group 1 contests, she is difficult to oppose.
Up North at Haydock, Royal Infantry represents in the in-form Skelton’s in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (15h55). The Group 2 contest sees a field of seven line up at the 2-mile start, and the six-year-old looks hard to beat after an impressive course and distance success last time out.
That win last month was on soft ground and he has won on heavy ground previously so Saturday’s track conditions will suit.
