Betfair Tingle Creek Chase
Grade 3 Handicap, Sandown 15:00
£175,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m 7f 119y, Class 1  
Saturday 9th December 2023

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1 Jonbon 30/100F
2 Edwardstone 9/2
3 Haddex Des Obeaux 10/1
4 ran NR: Boothill Distances: 2¾l, 2l, 33l
Time: 4m 5.19s (slow by 15.59s)

Jonbon displayed a different aspect of his character by securing a hard-fought victory in challenging conditions.

The two-mile Grade One race didn't showcase Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old at his best, but he still notched up his 12th win in 14 career outings. With only four horses in contention due to Boothill being a non-runner, Gary Moore's Haddex Des Obeaux set a brisk pace.

Nico de Boinville positioned Jonbon in second place, and as they navigated the back straight, his adept jumping quickly brought him alongside the leader. Despite a stumble by Edwardstone at one of the Railway Fences, the horse recovered well and entered the fray on the home stretch. For a moment, it seemed Jonbon might face a serious challenge, but his superior class became evident, and he effortlessly regained control.

Clearing the final fence without any issues, Jonbon, the 30-100 favorite, finished strongly, securing a victory over Edwardstone by two and three-quarter lengths.

FormRatings

“It’s been a very tough weekend to be honest and heartbreaking really,” said Henderson.

“Of course we wanted to run them, I wanted Shishkin to run, I wanted Constitution Hill to run and I was looking forward to Willmount in the first. It’s very disappointing.

“It’s nice to get that one put away and he can rest up now, it takes the pressure off.

“When you are 100-30 on you are pleased when it’s over, but he is very good.”

Henderson can now look forward to the second half of the campaign with Jonbon who has finally removed any thoughts of moving up in distance.

The Champion Chase is the plan and El Fabiolo is the target and all at Seven Barrows will now be focussed on downing their Arkle conqueror when they meet for a third time in March.

“You can’t take anything away from El Fabiolo and we have a bit to find,” continued Henderson.

“We did beat him a neck at Aintree in a Grade One hurdle the year before. It’s 1-1 and all to play for and we will be watching him carefully tomorrow no doubt.

“It’s their turn to have a little sweat and then we will plan the second half of the campaign.

“I can’t see that they will meet along the way and I don’t think we will be going to Ireland put it like that. I’m rather hoping that Willie (Mullins) will play the same game as us and we will get ready for a match in March.

“There was a time last year I thought he wanted further, but to be fair, ever since then all he’s done is show us he is a two-miler so I think we have to stick to that plan.”

SureWIn

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1)
£175,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 119y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Heavy, Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Jonbon 7 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 30/100F
2 2¾ Edwardstone 9 11-10 Alan King Tom Cannon 9/2
3 2 Haddex Des Obeaux 6 11-10 Gary Moore Jack Tudor 10/1
4 33 Nube Negra 9 11-10 Dan Skelton Jonjo O'Neill Jr 33/1
NR Boothill 8 11-10 Harry Fry NON RUNNER

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