Trainer Nicky Henderson endured a challenging Cheltenham Festival after going into the meeting with many of his stars withdrawn as the stable was under a cloud at the time. He understandably approached Aintree’s Grand National meeting with a feeling of trepidation but the victory of Sir Gino in Thursday’s Anniversary Hurdle gave the stable hope that things were turning around and that hope was realised the following day as Jonbon took the day’s showcase race, the Melling Chase.
Jonbon, whose record now stands at 13 wins from 16 starts, was a horse who had something to prove despite his record. Beaten at long odds-on last time out and withdrawn at Cheltenham, he had his doubters but was still relatively strong in the market going off the 11/10 favourite with betting apps.
In the race jockey Nico De Boinville kept things simple and raced Jonbon prominently behind pacesetter Conflated. One jumping error at the 10th didn’t hinder him unduly and he pressed on in the straight, taking the lead before the last and staying on well to hold off the renewed challenge of Conflated, who rallied gamely after the last.
It was Jonbon’s first try beyond two miles and he stayed the extra half mile here well enough, opening up new possibilities for next season.
De Boinville was clearly both relieved and full of praise for the horse. “I was delighted with that,” he said. “He’s shown what a true champion he is. There was an end-to-end gallop, everyone turned up who needed to and it was a true championship race.”
Trainer Henderson, for whom the last month or so has been a real test of character, was visibly relieved. “I’ve never seen him jump better. He dug very deep – he had to – he was very brave. You saw him at his best. He’s a flagship horse, he’s been there a long time now, go back to his battle with El Fabiolo here two years ago. He’s been a star all the way through.”
Future plans for the horse will be reflected on over the summer according to Henderson but there is no doubt his win here dispelled any doubts some may have had and that in Jonbon we are dealing with a real champion.
