Everything you need to know about the 2023 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
The Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown is one that marks the start of the festive season for many. Its feature race, the Tingle Creek Chase, has been run since 1969 and has since become the top Grade 1 over the minimum trip outside of Cheltenham.
Indeed, past winners have included Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Master Minded, Sprinter Sacre and Altior. Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, who has suffered only two defeats in his career, will be hoping to be viewed in that category and victory here can set up an exciting career in open chases.
2023 Tingle Creek Chase Odds
| Name | Best Price | Worst Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jonbon | 4/11 | 3/10 |
| Captain Guinness | 5/1 | 10/3 |
| Edwardstone | 15/2 | 6/1 |
| Boothill | 16/1 | 12/1 |
| Haddex Des Obeaux | 20/1 | 16/1 |
| Nube Negra | 25/1 | 20/1 |
Who is the favourite to win the 2023 Tingle Creek Chase?
Jonbon is the big favourite with the bookmakers to win the 2023 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown with an implied probability of more than 70% at best odds of 4/11 on William Hill.
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Tingle Creek Chase Dates & Start Time
The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown is the feature race of the two-day Tingle Creek Meeting (8-9 December). It is run on Saturday 9th December at 3:00pm, broadcast live on ITV Racing.
Tingle Creek Chase Runners
Jonbon heads a field of six at the confirmation stage. Here’s more on the leading protagonists.
Jonbon
There’s two ways to look at Jonbon; the first is that he’s come up against two superstars in his career and been kicked for touch both times; the second is that he’s only lost to horses rated 170+, Constitution Hill who is odds on to retain the Champion Hurdle in March, while the other El Fabiolo is the favourite for the Champion Chase having won last year’s Arkle.
When it comes to his chances in the Tingle Creek, he’s beaten all four of the entrants that he’s faced before, with the remaining horse rated 150. Conversely, Jonbon is primed to go on account of his 9 ½ length win in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting where he beat the reopposing Edwardstone and Nube Negra.
Meanwhile, Douvan’s brother is also unbeaten in two visits to Sandown, both of which were Grade 1’s, with the latter being when accounting for Captain Guinness in the Celebration Chase. The forecast rain later in the week should hold no fears having won three times when riding soft, including in the Shloer, and he should be winning this before being aimed at the spring festivals with the Melling Chase at Aintree looking particularly suitable.
Captain Guinness
Of his 19 races over 2 miles, Captain Guinness has finished in the top three on 14 occasions. Moreover, four of those starts were non completions meaning that, barring mishaps, only in the 2022 Punchestown Champion Chase did the son of Arakan fail to fire.
Mr consistent won his second Fortria Chase on seasonal debut last month, giving weight and a beating to both Riviere D’etel and Dysart Dynamo, a performance that was far more impressive that his victory in the race last year. Indeed, Henry de Bromhead’s star had seemed to mature, jumping quickly throughout and galloping up to the line.
Although he’s gone well fresh in the past (record of 111 after 150+ day break recently), he should be involved over a course and distance where he was only 3 ¾ lengths behind Jonbon in April. Further still, if he has improved 5lb or more, he could give the favourite a race without winning.
Edwardstone
After being beaten 64 lengths in the Queen Mother, Alan King went into the season aiming to step up Edwardstone in trip with him even given an entry in Boxing Day’s King George.
However, after running a more than encouraging 2nd in the Shloer Chase behind Jonbon, albeit beaten nearly 10 lengths, connections have decided to let him defend his crown in a race which he won by nine lengths last year.
Indeed, if you take out his Cheltenham Festival effort, which saw him finish 30 lengths behind Greaneteen, then he finished 1 and 2nd in two Grade 1’s on his only two completed starts. The first of which was in this race last year, and the second was when beaten a head in the Clarence House, a race in which two-time Champion Chase winner Energumene was only 3rd.
He is unbeaten when running on right handed tracks and can run a big race here.
Boothill
The second half of last year’s Henry VIII forecast is set to return 12 months later for the open race. Indeed, after finishing 2nd to Jonbon 12 months ago, Harry Fry’s stable star beat next time out Betfair Hurdle winner Aucunrisque at Kempton before finishing second and third in two following Grade 2’s. However, this season he has arguably taken his form to new heights, winning two Ascot handicaps off 149 and 155 to justify his place back in a Grade 1.
The forecast rain will be welcomed with his two disappointing efforts coming on good ground last season and Harry Fry’s stable are operating at an excellent 35% strike rate. However, he has been beaten three out of four times at graded level and does seem to be 10lbs behind a few of these.
Haddex Des Obeaux
Rated only 127 last October, Gary Moore’s stable star has risen up to 150 to give him an entry in this feature Grade 1. Wins at both Doncaster and Warwick justified connections to dream of the Arkle but an injury forced him to bypass that engagement.
Perhaps his most interesting performance was at Cheltenham’s Open meeting in October when he travelled and jumped powerfully in the lead until falling tiredly at the last. The 2nd, Triple Trade, came out and won at the November meeting, and the 4th placed Notlongtillmay was 2nd in the Paddy Power on his next start when stepped up in distance.
Sandown’s test should suit with the railway fences putting pressure on jumping and he may be dangerous if getting into a rhythm with no other confirmed front runner declared.
Tingle Creek Chase Tips
Haddex Des Obeaux should set a fast and furious pace which will pressurise jumping. Although Captain Guinness looked an improved performer in the Fortria Chase, the fast early fractions may suit last year’s winner Edwardstone who looks ready for a step up in trip.
He can finish 2nd but Jonbon should be winning this on the way towards a rematch with El Fabiolo in March before winning the Melling at Aintree. At 1/3 however, Edwardstone without the favourite looks the play.
