Jonbon emerged a convincing victor in his long-awaited clash with El Fabiolo in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown.
The pair had initially been due to meet in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot back in January only to be scuppered by the weather, while a possible Queen Mother Champion Chase face-off did not happen as Jonbon was ruled out by trainer Nicky Henderson during a tough period when his stable was under a cloud.
However, the Seven Barrows team has been resurgent in recent weeks with Jonbon quickly back in action after a hard-fought win when stepped up to two-and-a-half miles in the Melling Chase at Aintree earlier this month.
Ridden with supreme confidence by Nico de Boinville, Jonbon (15/8) was to the fore from the off, putting in some extravagant leaps and turning for home firmly in command.
He fairly flew up the straight, clearing the last with a good advantage and galloped home four lengths in front of the 4/6 favourite El Fabiolo, who made a couple of jumping errors as he failed to atone for a costly mistake at Cheltenham that had seen him pulled up in the Champion Chase.
El Fabiolo’s second-place prize money did at least ensure Willie Mullins was crowned champion trainer.
Fantastic performance seals Oaksey honours for Lady
Fantastic Lady put up a smooth display to land the bet365 Oaksey Chase to initiate a double for Henderson at Sandown.
Third in the race 12 months ago to Hewick, she was having only her fourth outing of the campaign after running well for a long way in the Topham Chase at Aintree over the Grand National fences and having also gone close in the Grand Sefton back in November.
Having been dropped out at the rear by De Boinville, Fantastic Lady moved stealthily into contention at the Pond Fence.
A mistake there by The Real Whacker cost him any chance and with Hitman finding little under pressure, she only had Ga Law to beat, which she did by two-and-a-half lengths.
“She is remarkable and we kept her all season for the Topham,” said Henderson.
“She was second in the Topham last year and then came here and was third in this last year and I thought we haven’t got anything else to do, so let’s have a look at it.
“She was really good and Nico said ‘it’s lucky you don’t tie me down [to instruction]’ as the plan was to get up there and go and when it was all happening up front, Nico said he decided to do the complete opposite. Well done to Nico, fair play it was a great piece of riding.”
Source : Sky Sports
