Jonbon beats Energumene to become a hot favourite for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
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Nicky Henderson floored another Willie Mullins-trained star via a relentless display from two-mile chart-topper Jonbon. The JP McManus-owned chaser was lined up by the Irish training wizard who sent champion Energumene over to Ascot. Ahead of a fascinating Bet MGM Clarence House Chase showdown, racing fans were siding with Britain or Ireland.
But over Christmas Henderson batted away Lossiemouth and Ballyburn from the Mullins camp with Constitution Hill and Sir Gino. And 8-13 favourite Jonbon did not let the side down, racing with plenty of exuberance and jumping tidily at speed for jockey Nico de Boinville.
Energumene (2-1) sat on his rival's tail, however when it mattered he could not find an extra gear to prevent the market leader's 20th career success. A mighty leap at the final fence put extra gloss on the performance, as the top two finished ahead of Edwardstone and Boothill.
"I loved the way he quickened up going to the last as he fought off the enemy and still wanted to make a good show of it," said Henderson. "Nico quite rightly grabbed the lead early on and we were off. Jonbon is very professional now and his jumping is so slick.
"We are very lucky these two milers keep popping along and long may it last.”. Henderson stable legends Sprinter Sacre (2013) and Altior (2019) feature on an illustrious roll of honour for the 2m 1f contest. Both galloped on to Queen Mother Champion Chase glory in the same season - and Jonbon was cut to 5-4 (from 7-4) with William Hill to emulate them.
