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Nicky Henderson says it’s “all systems go” for Jonbon as he heads six entries for the Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old recorded his eighth success at the top level when successful in the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December, a performance that saw him stretch his unbeaten record at the Esher venue to a remarkable five.
A sixteen-time winner under Rules, Jonbon will be making his first start at the Berkshire track since winning the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle back in December 2021, but Henderson is unphased by the return to Ascot for the JP McManus-owned star, who suffered one of his three career defeats to Elixir De Nutz in this race when it was rearranged for Cheltenham last season.
"We're looking forward to it and it's all systems go," said Henderson, who believes his contender is finally getting the recognition he deserves. "In the Tingle Creek, the crowd really got behind him, which is nice. He deserves it. He's been playing at the top table for quite a while now, he used to be the young buck coming in.
"He has had the one run round Ascot when he won the Kennel Gate. I don't think left or right makes any difference to him. He loves Sandown which is right-handed with a fair few undulations in it so I can't see why Ascot wouldn't be suitable. I would hope he would enjoy it."
The son of Walk In The Park is a general 8/11 shot to land his ninth Grade 1 at Ascot on Saturday, with the Willie Mullins-trained challenger Energumene a clear 13/8 second favourite.
Willie Mullins' two-time Champion Chase hero defied an absence of 593 days to make a winning return in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December, setting up a potentially mouthwatering clash with Henderson's charge in a race that could be pivotal for the two-mile feature at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
On the potential clash with Energumene, Henderson said: "Energumene was impressive on his comeback run a few weeks ago, so it looks as if we're going to have a re-do, but it will be Jonbon who's going to have to do battle with him. The interesting thing there is that Jonbon's very happy up there [with the pace], they could be going a right good gallop, it could be an attacking game! This could be brewing up for another historic renewal."
Energumene may be yet to face the wrath of Jonbon, but he's certainly no stranger when it comes to taking on a Nicky Henderson-trained star having gone down gallantly by half a length to the late Shishkin when the pair met in this contest three years ago.
"That was one of the great races of all-time, it was billed as that and it lived up to that, which was terrific," recalled the Seven Barrows-based handler. "Well, it was terrific for us, I don't think Willie enjoyed it as much as we did! It was going their way and then it came back to go our way at the end."
Other entries for Saturday's £175,000 feature contest include Alan King's three-time Grade 1 winner Edwardstone, three-time Ascot scorer Boothill, Libberty Hunter and Unexpected Party.
