Jonbon faces seven rivals after all eight runners from the five-day confirmation stage stood their ground for Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
15:00 Saturday
Jonbon is the big favourite with the bookmakers to claim a second Betfair Tingle Creek Chase title at Sandown Park on Saturday.
If the top-class chaser can triumph, last year’s winner will have amassed more than £1 million in career earnings. If he is to win well, expect him to shorten in price for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Remember, dual winner of that race Energumene makes his long-awaited return from injury in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday - he's one of Road to Cheltenham's five to follow this weekend.
Jonbon’s Tingle Creek opposition is led by the rejuvenated Quilixios and 2022 winner Edwardstone, who proved no match for him 12 months ago. Boothill, Steve Ryder’s ante-post play last week for Oddschecker Unlimited, completes the top four in the market.
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Tingle Creek Runners Guide
Boothill (14/1)
Boothill was no match for Jonbon in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at this meeting two years ago and has yet to beat the hot favourite in three previous heats.
The nine-year-old is a very solid yardstick for Harry Fry, but he will do well to produce a career-best performance and succeed, which looks doubtful.
Edwardstone (17/2)
Slammed a useful field in this race two years ago and was impressive the year prior when winning the Henry VIII Novices' Chase.
This track clearly plays to his strengths, but Jonbon has continuously had his measure, and the fact that he’s getting no younger suggests that he will need the favourite to massively underperform if he’s to win this race for a second time. Likely to be playing a minor role.
Jonbon (4/7)
Having won 15 of his 18 starts and finishing second in the other three (all at Cheltenham), the defending champion deserves his position at the top of the market.
It is also worth pointing out that he’s won all four of his races at this venue and was still too good for Edwardstone in this race 12 months ago despite not being at his brilliant best.
With more to come, the eight-year-old is strongly fancied to become the first back-to-back winner since Kauto Star and cement his status as favourite for the Champion Chase.
JPR One (16/1)
Made a winning return in the Haldon Gold Cup last month and is well thought of by his connections. However, he could only finish third in last year’s Henry VIII Novices' Chase and has plenty to find on official ratings with Jonbon.
He’s still only seven, so improvement is to come, but a place may be the best he can hope for. For win purposes, not for me.
Master Chewy (20/1)
Progressive novice last season and may have hit the frame in last season’s Arkle without falling at the second last fence.
However, even a repeat of that form wouldn’t be enough to trouble Jonbon and his comeback run at Ascot, when only fourth in a handicap was slightly underwhelming, I thought. He could outrun his odds, but he would be a surprise winner.
Quilixios (6/1)
Successful in the Triumph Hurdle in 2021, the Irish raider resumed winning ways in a Grade 3 contest on his return at Naas when defeating Marine Nationale.
However, I don’t necessarily trust the form, as the runner-up was far from his best, and he was comfortably held at Cheltenham and Aintree last season and will do well to beat Jonbon in his own backyard on his first trip to Sandown. Opposed.
Solness (33/1)
Has been kept busy since Cheltenham in March and ran very well when second to Found A Fifty in the Grade 2 Fortria Chase last month. That being said, this is far more demanding, and he looks well out of his depth.
Unexpected Party (80/1)
Claimed the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but it seems as though that race might be his main target again. However, he was behind three of these in the Shloer Chase last month and is likely to be outclassed once more.
Tingle Creek Tips & Prediction
Nicky Henderson’s JONBON can register another win in the contest. He’s already beaten most of today’s opposition, and given he’s unbeaten at this course and has plenty more to offer, there’s little reason to be taking him on despite his prohibitive odds.
