Betfair Tingle Creek Chase
Grade 3 Handicap, Sandown 15:00
£175,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m 7f 119y, Class 1  
Saturday 7th December 2024

%ALT_TXT%%

1 Jonbon 8/13F
2 Quilixios 15/2
3 JPR One 11/1
6 ran NR: Boothill, Unexpected Party
Distances: 8l, 2¼l, 15 Time: 4m 5.03s (slow by 15.43s)

Jonbon added his name to the list of multiple winners in the 2m Chase at a windswept Sandown. Nicky Henderson’s elite chaser secured his eighth victory at the highest level, taking his record under rules to an impressive 16 wins from 19 starts.

Since the turn of the century, top-class chasers like Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Master Minded, and Sire De Grugy have won the Tingle Creek more than once. Now, Jonbon joins this elite group, with only a first victory at the Cheltenham Festival eluding him.

Sent off as the 8-13 favourite, Nico de Boinville had an early scare when Jonbon banked the second fence, but it was smooth sailing after that. Quilixios led the field, with Jonbon never far behind, while JPR One kept tabs on the front two. Master Chewy fell early on, and Edwardstone departed just as the race was developing, but Jonbon remained a looming presence.

Rounding the turn for home, Jonbon hit the front and extended his lead to secure an eight-length victory. Henderson commented, “He’s returned with a little nick, but it will get cleaned off straight away. 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! He was up for a battle today, wanting to go faster the whole way. He’s a real true terrier but a very classy one.”

Looking ahead, Henderson added, “Surely we go to the Clarence House next, and then hopefully we’ll get into a fight with whoever they send over from Ireland at Cheltenham. He’s right up there with Sprinter Sacre and Altior. He’s the two-miler that can represent our country. We’ve got to fight against the enemy who are going to come over in force.”

De Boinville told ITV Racing, “It’s hugely special. After Newcastle last weekend and now this, it’s very special. What a horse he is to win back-to-back Tingle Creeks. He really did find a lot there, and his jumping is just getting better and better. It’s hard work out there and gruelling, but he’s a hardy horse. He’s really maturing, and Paddy (Murphy) keeps him in good order.”

Richard Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of runner-up Quilixios, said, “We are really happy. We knew it would be tough against Jonbon. He jumped great and is seven years old, so hopefully, he has a great future. To finish second in a Tingle Creek is great. Better ground would suit him, and I liked the way Johnny (Burke, jockey) looked after the horse. He has proved himself today, and all the top two-mile races are open to him. He has shown he belongs there, and it’s great to have a horse that can compete in Grade One company.”

AutoUpdating 960x120 Gif

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

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Jonbon 8 11-10 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 8/13F
2 8 Quilixios 7 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 15/2
3 2¼ JPR One 7 11-10 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 11/1
4 15 Solness 6 11-10 Joseph O'Brien Danny Mullins 18/1
FELL Edwardstone 10 11-10 Alan King Tom Cannon 11/2
FELL Master Chewy 7 11-10 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 14/1
NR 1 Boothill 9 11-10 Harry Fry NON RUNNER
NR 8 Unexpected Party 9 11-10 Dan Skelton NON RUNNER

Odds catcher