Fabulous 'freak' Jonbon joins the greats as he completes back-to-back wins in Tingle Creek

There was fighting talk from Nicky Henderson after Jonbon repelled a fresh wave of challengers to maintain his unbeaten record at Sandown and become the first since Kauto Star to win back-to-back Betfair Tingle Creeks.   

In taxing conditions Jonbon was there to be shot at, but Quilixios and JPR One, the new kids on the two-mile chase block, had to beat a hasty retreat after meeting a horse who is only getting better with age.

He has tasted defeat just three times in his 19 runs under rules and British hopes of ending a four-year drought in March's Queen Mother Champion Chase undoubtedly rest on his shoulders.

A mistake at the second fence might have put a lesser chaser on the defensive, but not Jonbon. The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old was straight back into his raking stride and never allowed Quilixios a chance to dominate in front.

In his element over Sandown's Railway fences, Jonbon started to turn the screw. He then pinged the Pond fence before sailing over the last two obstacles to take his unbeaten record at Sandown to five. It was enough to send his supporters potty. 

"What a horse," said winning rider Nico de Boinville. "To win back-to-back Tingle Creeks is quite something. He really did find a lot there and his jumping is getting better and better. It was probably a miscommunication at the second, but that was it. 

"He was making up lengths over his fences. It was gruelling out there but he's a hardy horse and really maturing." 

Jonbon is surrounded by rivals in the opening stages of the Tingle Creek but ultimately made light work of the oppositionCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sponsors BetMGM make Jonbon the 11-4 favourite (from 7-2) to take his first Champion Chase crown in March and Henderson was certainly looking forward to taking on the Irish battalions at Prestbury Park. 

"Surely we will go to the Clarence House next and then hopefully we'll finally get the chance to fight whoever they send over for Cheltenham," said the winning trainer. 

"He's the two-miler that I think can represent our country. We’ve got to fight against the enemy, who are going to come over in force and it will be interesting to see how Energumene gets on tomorrow.”

Jonbon did return from his eight-length beating of Quilixios with blood around the pastern of one of his hind legs, which connections were hoping was nothing more than a superficial injury. 

Once a hothead who lived on his nerves, Jonbon still packs a punch but has learned to channel his energy to events on the track. 

Nicky Henderson on Jonbon: "His whole demeanour is better and he's racing like a true professional."Credit: Alan Crowhurst

“He's so much better than he used to be," said Henderson. "You used to see him walking around the parade ring dripping in sweat, but he's calmer altogether in life now. His whole demeanour is better and he's racing like a true professional. 

"He was still up for a battle today. He wanted to battle earlier than even Nico wanted him to. He’s a very classy terrier because he just loves a scrap. He wants to go faster the whole way. 

"I hope the cut is superficial. Those pasterns are going into the ground a fair bit, but they will be cleaning it up straight away."

Inevitably where Henderson and two-mile chasers are concerned, comparisons with titans such as Sprinter Sacre and Altior are never far away, and the trainer thinks Jonbon has now earned the right to be mentioned in that exalted company.    

"He's right up there and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as those two," he added. "They were really great two-milers and he's certainly nearly earned his place. He's so clever on his feet and can dance in front of a fence. If it's not long he finds a very quick way of being short."

Nico de Boinville rides Jonbon clear of the last and towards a second straight Tingle Creek winCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Jonny Burke came in for the ride on runner-up Quilixios after the aptly named Storm Darragh prevented Darragh O'Keeffe from making it to Sandown and, although he was left chasing Jonbon's shadow in the end, he was willing to take the race to the odds-on favourite early on.   

"He ran a great race," said Burke. "I went out with the idea to try and serve it up to them early. I thought I’d give it a good go, but the way it was at the end I had to just accept it. 

"It was a great run from Quilixios, he was brave and very willing, but Jonbon is just a freak."

Jonbon is indeed a freak and a fabulous one at that.

Queen Mother Champion Chase (Cheltenham, March 12)
Paddy Power: 5-2 Jonbon, 7-2 Gaelic Warrior, 6 El Fabiolo, 10 Energumene, 16 Found A Fifty, 20 Ferny Hollow, Il Etait Temps, 25 Dinoblue, Marine Nationale, 33 Banbridge, 40 Blood Destiny, Boothill, Captain Guinness, Quilixios, 50 bar.

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