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Jonbon became the first horse since Kauto Star in 2006 to land successive runnings of the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
The two-mile Grade 1 chase wasn't without its drama, with a false start proceeding an early exit from Nigel Twiston-Davies' contender Master Chewy.
A hair-raising mistake at the second fence by Jonbon had those who had backed the 8/13 market leader in a moment of worry, but he was soon back on an even keel and when Alan King's stable star Edwardstone, who won the Sandown feature two years ago, departed with four fences to travel, success never really looked in doubt for Nicky Henderson's latest two-mile chasing hero.
Henry De Bromhead's Irish challenger Quilixios did his best to keep tabs on Jonbon as the four remaining horses turned for home, but he was never close enough to land a blow and although Nicky Henderson's son of Walk In The Park made another mistake at the penultimate fence, it wasn't enough to halt his momentum and he went on to devour the Sandown hill to score by a commanding eight lengths.
JPR One, winner of the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his last start, finished a further two and a quarter lengths behind in third.
"He's the finished article now," said De Boinville. "I was happy the whole way around.
"Better ground would have drawn that winning distance out but he isn't the sort of horse to put a massive performance in terms of winning distance.
"He always saves a bit for himself, his ears were pricked, and he was still a fresh horse, and it helps draw out their longevity.
"It's hugely special. After Newcastle last weekend and now this it's very special, and what a horse he is to win back-to-back Tingle Creeks, he's quite something."
Jonbon did return with a small cut on his leg following a warrior-like performance, but Henderson, who was winning the Grade 1 prize for a fourth time after Jonbon added to the tally of Seven Barrows' legendary chasers Sprinter Sacre and Altior, is hopeful the cut is 'just superficial.'
"He's returned with a little nick, and I hope it's just superficial, but it will get cleaned off straight away," explained Henderson. "The mistake at the first ditch – he's jumped it so many times you'd think he'd know there wasn't a crocodile in there but today he thought there was! So many horses do that.
"He was up for a battle today; he wanted to battle earlier than even Nico wanted him to. He's just a real true terrier but he's a very classy terrier. He loves a scrap and wants to go faster the whole way."
JP McManus' gelding was subsequently cut to 5/2 (from 7/2) by Betfair for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March and Henderson is relishing the challenge of taking on the Irish contingent.
"Surely, we go the Clarence House next and then hopefully we'll get into a fight with whoever they send over from Ireland at Cheltenham.
"You'd have to say he's right up there (with Sprinter Sacre and Altior). He's been at the top of his game apart from the Clarence House last year, which was unfortunate, otherwise, he'd be one more ahead of the game.
"He is the two-miler than can represent our country. We've got to fight against the enemy who are going to come over in force. We'll have to see how Energumene (former Champion Chase winner) gets on tomorrow."
