Jonbon targets record third Shloer win

Jonbon will follow a familiar path to the Tingle Creek by lining up at Cheltenham on Friday, where he aims to become the first horse to win the Shloer Chase three times.

Nicky Henderson’s stalwart two-mile chaser has successfully used this race as a stepping stone to Sandown for the past two seasons, and although there are some younger rivals like Dan Skelton’s L’Eau du Sud and potentially soft conditions to contend with, the Seven Barrows handler is keen to get Jonbon’s campaign up and running at Prestbury Park.

Henderson said: “This is the start as it has been the last two years and it’s his road to the Tingle Creek.

“There’s a few friends there and some young ones as well, so it’s not going to be easy and he’s such a good mover you would worry about him in very, very soft ground, but he’s won plenty on soft ground before.

“We’ve only been starting in the last few weeks with the ground being so dry and this is the beginning of it. But they have all been running well so far this week, so hopefully they are in a good place.”

While the impending impact of Storm Claudia may give Henderson a few concerns, it is likely to delight Evan Williams who will be celebrating every drop of rain that falls ahead of Libberty Hunter’s outing in the Grade Two event.

A dual Cheltenham winner, he also finished runner-up in the Grand Annual at the Festival in 2024 before falling in the Champion Chase earlier this year when still in with a chance and is back in the Cotswolds to take on elite competition once again.

Williams said: “Fingers crossed they get some rain, we’re getting plenty down our way and hopefully it gets up to Cheltenham as it would be appreciated.

“As is always the case with these races, it’s always very competitive and you can’t take anything for granted. We’re just going to hope and pray for a drop of rain, hope for the best and we can’t do much more than that.”

Libberty Hunter may be a newer opponent for Jonbon to consider, but a regular foe is Alan King’s Edwardstone who was second in 2023 before finishing a place further back 12 months ago.

“He’s run well in this race the last two years and it’s a good starting point,” said King.

“He seems to be in very good shape, he’s done plenty of work and his enthusiasm is as good as it’s ever been.

“I’d have preferred it if they weren’t getting all this rain, but having moaned we haven’t got any we can’t start complaining there’s too much now, can we? It’s just a shame it seems to be one extreme to the other, but hopefully it’ll be sloppy enough and they’ll get through it.”

Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’ Matata runs in this in preference to the Paddy Power Gold Cup while Haddex Des Obeaux returns from a 706-day absence on debut for Donald McCain.