'There has never been much between the pair' - are there dangers to odds-on Jonbon in the Tingle Creek?
It appears Nicky Henderson is more worried about the weather forecast rather than the strength of opposition as one of his stable stars, Jonbon, bids to repeat last year’s Tingle Creek victory.
While the amount of rain forecast is not excessive, wind gusts of potentially more than 50 miles per hour accompanying Storm Darragh have put the meeting under threat and an inspection will take place at 7.30am.
Jonbon, generally 7-2 second favourite for the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Gaelic Warrior, moved through the vast majority of Cheltenham’s Shloer Chase last month like a horse with stacks in hand of his rivals.
The fact that he only beat Boothill by a length and a half suggests he might have needed the run to put him spot on for this bigger and more lucrative assignment.
Jonbon looked awesome that afternoon until just after the final fence, his electric jumping combining real style and pinpoint accuracy.
There was a swagger about him during much of the Shloer which hasn’t always been in evidence, and it is reasonable to assume the eight-year-old could be reaching his peak this term.
Henderson said: “Jonbon is in good form, although the weather forecast is more of a worry than anything.
“I couldn't be happier with him and we're doing the same as last year. I think he came on from the Shloer into this race and I'd like to think he's done the same.
“He seems sharp and his regular pilot [Nico de Boinville] is very happy with him so here we go.”
'Edwardstone's work has been as good as it has ever been' – Alan King
Edwardstone has endured several rear views of Jonbon over the last couple of years, but Alan King is prepared to take him on once again.
Winner of this race in 2022, the ten-year-old boasts form figures in Grade 1 Sandown chases of 1123 and is a class act on his day.
King said: “Edwardstone will be 11 on New Year’s Day, but his enthusiasm and work at home has been as good as it has ever been.
“I was delighted with his comeback run behind Jonbon in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month, and he took a bit of a blow going to the last fence which suggests he might come on for the run.
“No doubt Jonbon will improve as well, but Edwardstone was less than three lengths behind him in this race last year and there has never been much between the pair.”
King added: “Edwardstone won the Tingle Creek in 2022 and it’s one of my favourite steeplechases. Obviously I’d love to win it again, but while Jonbon is a worthy odds-on favourite, I have seen no reason at home not to run and, if I opted out, where else would I go?”
'We'd love to win it again' – Henry de Bromhead excited about Quilixios
Quilixios continued on an upward curve when making all in the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas last month.
His jumping was spectacular and that is one of the reasons Henry de Bromhead was keen to commit him to this Grade 1 test at Sandown where jumping can often prove the difference between winning and losing.
“I was very happy with the performance at Naas,” De Bromhead said. “He jumped great and galloped right to the line so it was great to see him back.
“The Tingle Creek is a famous race and we would love to win it again. Obviously Jonbon is very good and is going to be very hard to beat, but at least we'll know where we stand for the rest of the season.”
What they say
Joe Tizzard, trainer of JPR One
It’s a step up in grade, but we’re looking forward to seeing how he fares in this company. He seems in the form of his life at home. I realise it’s a stiff ask based on official ratings, but both myself and [owner] John Romans are prepared to take the chance. JPR One produced a lifetime best when winning the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time, and I think he is still going in the right direction. He has won on soft and heavy, but really, really soft ground might not suit so the weather forecast is a concern. It was good ground at Exeter. We’ll have a look and if it’s horrendous we may consider waiting for the Desert Orchid Chase over Christmas.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Master Chewy
He’s got a bit to do if he’s to beat Jonbon, but we’re there to take our chance. He’s in good form and ran well at Ascot last time. He has run in Grade 1 company before; he finished second in the Maghull at Aintree in the spring, only beaten in a photo-finish.
Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Solness
He's pretty straightforward but he likes to be ridden positively. A fast-run two miles with an emphasis on jumping suits him well and that's what he'll get at the weekend. He ran well in a Grade 2 at Navan last time and he's earned a crack at this. He wouldn't want the ground too soft.
Dan Skelton, trainer of Unexpected Party
He has huge numbers to find on the book with many others in the race, but his opportunities are limited at the moment hence we are running here rather than a handicap in which he is too high at the moment.
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