Shloer Chase
Listed, Cheltenham 14:55
£100,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 35yds, Class 1  
Sunday 19th November 2023

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1 Jonbon 4/9F
2 Edwardstone 100/30
3 Nube Negra 14/1
4 ran Distances: 9½l, 7l, 26l
Time: 4m 5.53s (slow by 13.53s)

Jonbon put in a commanding performance, facing a field of just three other notable contenders in the Grade Two event.

The 4-9 favorite, ridden by Nico de Boinville in the absence of injured regular rider Aidan Coleman, quickly asserted dominance, maintaining the lead throughout. The victory was secured without much difficulty, with Edwardstone trailing by a substantial margin in second place.

“The back-end of the last season, after the Arkle, we were dying to go two and a half (miles),” said Henderson.

“The two-mile novice at Aintree was much the easier race and then 13 days later he went to Sandown (Celebration Chase) and that was to find out if he was a two-miler against the second, third and fourth in the Champion Chase.

“He didn’t wait for them. He does look like a two-miler there, he’s got to stay there for now because of the Tingle Creek (at Sandown on December 9). Two and a half looks like it’s getting further away, I’m sure he’d stay but why go there if you don’t have to?

“He had the race (won) when he quickened off the bend as they were going to be pushed to get him from there. 

“I thought he was great, we’ll see what everyone else wants to give him!”

He added: “His only two defeats have come here, one was Constitution Hill (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle) and one was El Fabiolo (Arkle Trophy). If we can convince Willie (Mullins, trainer of El Fabiolo) to stay in Ireland we can have a rematch (in March).

“I think he’s grown up a lot. Anything strange to him he goes ‘help’, but once he has done it once he is fine. He is not as bad as he was.

“You have to be very pleased. He was just pricking his ears on the run-in and I could see those two great big ears lock on. He has had a nice time and has enjoyed himself. He should come on for it. 

“He went and had a walk around Newbury the other day before racing. He walked around one lap of the parade ring and was then out and home. It is all part of his preparation. Today he travelled well and all the team are here.”

Shloer Chase
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 35yds, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Soft

POS. POS HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Jonbon 7 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 4/9F
2 9½ Edwardstone 9 11-10 Alan King Tom Cannon 100/30
3 7 Nube Negra 9 11-10 Dan Skelton Harry SkeltoN 14/1
4 26 Editeur Du Gite 9 11-10 Gary Moore Niall Houlihan 14/1

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