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Jonbon aiming to continue successful record at Sandown

3 minute read

Jonbon will be aiming to emulate his achievements from twelve months ago when taking on the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday.

JONBON winning the Celebration Chase at Sandown in Esher, England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The seven-year-old was successful in the course and distance Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase on the same card last year and added another victory in these conditions in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase in late April.

Nicky Henderson's star two-mile chaser made a successful return in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase during Cheltenham's November Meeting, easily beating Edwardstone by nine-and-a-half lengths. With conditions proven to suit Jonbon, connections are confident the gelding can produce a big effort.

"He was very good at Cheltenham; he did everything well. Touch wood, Nicky and Nico [de Boinville] are both very happy with him going to Sandown on Saturday and hopefully, he'll run a big race," said JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

"We just don't know how he'll go on really soft ground until he tries it – he has won on soft ground plenty of times.

"He's another year older and stronger so hopefully he'll be able to cope with it.

"He's been unlucky at the festival for the last two years, but he's still run two massive races, he's just bumped into two very, very good horses.

"Fingers crossed he can carry on his progression this weekend."

Jonbon is the 1/4 favourite for Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase, ahead of Henry de Bromhead's Captain Guinness at 9/2.