Jonbon records Shloer Chase hat-trick at Cheltenham

Harry Cobden made his first ride on Jonbon in public a successful one as the odds-on favourite landed a third Shloer Chase in gritty fashion at Cheltenham.

Never out of the first two in 29 races, Nicky Henderson’s charge is approaching veteran status at the age of 10 and was winning for the 21st time in his stellar career.

His task was made easier with the late withdrawal of Gidleigh Park, but Mighty Bandit kept him honest after the last, with the 1-2 favourite pulling away again towards to line to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Cobden said: “I’m so fortunate to be in this position riding all of these great horses and there’s so many in the camp to look forward to, you do have to pinch yourself a little bit.

“I was really looking forward to it and pressure is just something you put on yourself isn’t it. There was no point having a sleepless night over a Shloer Chase though as what would I be like in March!”

He went on: “I really enjoyed that. He pinged from fence to fence and loved that ground, he did well.

“I didn’t want to ask him too many questions too early today as ultimately he is a 10-year-old now, but he’s been round everywhere and doesn’t need me telling him what to do.

“It was a lovely starting point for me to ride him in. If it was a Champion Chase with 10 others around going championship pace then it wouldn’t be as easy, but it was pretty uncomplicated and straightforward there. I just let him enjoy himself.”

The man who made the call to employ Cobden was owner JP McManus who has never made any secret of the esteem he holds the veteran in.

McManus said: “Nicky had him looking great and he was up for it today, he gave a little blow but hardly put a foot wrong and got the job done.

“This horse has stood the test of time and he’s been going from four to now rising 11 and to run as many times as he has and still be performing, it’s fair play to Nicky as he knows this horse to a tee.”

He added: “I don’t have to worry about Harry, he knows every horse. He was good on him there.”

Henderson was equally as delighted as the new green and gold pilot, stating the intention to follow the tried and tested route to Sandown’s Tingle Creek on December 5.

“Some say this isn’t his favourite place but that’s his third win in this race and it’s lovely to see him back,” said the Seven Barrows handler.

“He is exactly where we want him to be and we have three weeks until the Tingle Creek and that will be the plan.

“I’m always so proud he has never been out of the first two which is going to be a hard record to maintain, but we’ve kept it intact today and it’s a remarkable record.

“I thought he was more forward this year than last year and this was the perfect race for him. He’s had a lovely time and Harry looks like he enjoyed it. There was never any anxiety and I think he always had enough in his pocket.

“He’ll never run away from them at his age over two miles and we know we can go further. But for now we’ll stick to two miles and then review. I could see him doing two and a half at some stage and maybe after the Clarence House like last year, but we’ll see.”