'All being well he'll run - I couldn't be happier' - Nicky Henderson set to unleash Jonbon in Shloer Chase on Friday

Shifting the Shloer Chase to the opening day of this week’s November meeting at Cheltenham should be to Jonbon’s advantage, according to his trainer Nicky Henderson.

The Grade 2 over two miles had previously been run on the final day of the three-day fixture, but was moved this year to take a more prominent position on Friday instead.

Henderson believes Jonbon lining up on Friday rather than Sunday will be helpful as it will allow the eight-year-old to get best use of the ground, which is being watered by clerk of the course Jon Pullin and his groundstaff to maintain the good going.

“This weather is driving us all insane but all being well Jonbon will run,” Henderson said. “He had a gallop around Newbury and worked very well on Saturday. He schooled exceptionally well the previous Thursday and I couldn't be happier. 

“You've got to think of everything, but Jon Pullin is top class and I was at Cheltenham last Wednesday when they were starting to water. I'm hoping with the watering done, it should be safe. Our advantage is the Shloer is on the Friday, which is probably going to be the slowest ground of the week because he will have to allow for it to dry out over Saturday and Sunday.”

Jonbon landed four of his five starts last season, including the Shloer Chase, with his sole defeat coming when he was beaten a neck by Elixir De Nutz in the rearranged Clarence House Chase.

However, Jonbon was an absentee from the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March after Henderson withdrew a number of his runners during the fixture due to concerns about the wellbeing of his string.

Jonbon is the general 3-1 favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase next year, and Henderson added: “You'd love to get Jonbon to a Champion Chase this season but let's face it, he didn't do much wrong last season and won three Grade 1s. What happened at Cheltenham was one of those things but there you go. 

“Jonbon is the same as Constitution Hill. They're both in great form and ready for their whole campaign. Let's hope we have a smoother run than last year.” 

As well as winning last year’s Shloer Chase, Henderson and owner JP McManus were successful in the Grade 3 Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle with Iberico Lord.

Under Control: set to run in the Greatwood HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The trainer and owner have just one contender for the Greatwood this year in Under Control, who was last seen finishing sixth in the Galway Hurdle in August. Henderson said: “Under Control is a definite at this stage. She's in very good form.”

Under Control was one of 20 horses confirmed for Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle, with the betting headed by the unbeaten Dysart Enos at 3-1. The James Owen-trained Burdett Road is second favourite at 5-1.

Ginny’s Destiny heads 17 confirmations for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup with his trainer Paul Nicholls seeking back-to-back victories in the race.

Stage Star, who won the race last year for Nicholls, has not been confirmed, but 2022 winner Ga Law has been left in by trainer Jamie Snowden.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Paul Nicholls made no secret of the fact that he thought Ginny's Destiny was the perfect candidate for the race three weeks ago and an incredible 125-1 five-timer on Saturday has not exactly put punters off the Turners runner-up.”

Shloer Chase (2.20 Cheltenham, Friday)

Bet365: 2-5 Jonbon, 3 Edwardstone, 7 Boothill, 10 Master Chewy, 12 Matata, 25 Calico, 33 bar

Read more like this:

Ginny's Destiny still in contention for Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup but well-fancied stablemate not among those put forward 

No rain in sight as 'unusual' spell of dry weather leads to Cheltenham watering before November meeting

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.