By Anita Chambers
Jonbon can confirm himself the king of the two-mile chasers with victory over Energumene in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Nicky Henderson’s charge suffered a rare reverse in this race last year, when it was rescheduled to Cheltenham and Jonbon was lucky to make it to the finish as his jumping really let him down as he was beaten a neck.
That was the only disappointment of an otherwise faultless campaign and Jonbon has resumed in similar manner this term, taking the Shloer Chase – when he beat the reopposing Edwardstone and Boothill – and the Tingle Creek on his two runs to date, with the latter effort particularly impressive
Jonbon meets a new rival in Energumene this time and the dual Champion Chase hero merits absolute respect after returning from a season-long lay off with victory in the Hilly Way Chase, with Willie Mullins’ charge having previously had to settle for second behind Henderson’s Shishkin in an epic battle for this race a couple of years ago.
Drying ground will certainly favour Jonbon who is pretty versatile, while Energumene has shown his best when the mud is flying and might just find this too much of a speed test.
Jonbon could be the highlight of a fruitful day for Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville with Lulamba making his British bow in the opening BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle.
He is already a winner in France, having triumphed by five lengths back in October, and he was all the rage in the Triumph Hurdle betting last week ahead of an intended debut at Kempton’s cancelled meeting.
While his stablemates will likely be skinny prices, Doddiethegreat could offer a bit more value in the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle.
He did not really take to fences on his initial outing this term while he gave himself no chance at Kempton on Boxing Day as he got distracted by a rival whipping around at the start, completely missed the break and was then pulled up after jumping the first flight.
The Henderson runner has slipped a few pounds in the weights and is another who will appreciate the anticipated good ground at Ascot.
He runs in the colours of Kenny Alexander, as does Kargese who lines up for the Mullins team in the BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle.
The dual Grade One winner has been given plenty of time this season with the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March her ultimate aim.
She faces a selection of race-fit rivals but they all have plenty to make up on the official numbers.
Trelawne could provide a minor surprise with victory in Haydock’s Sky Bet Peter Marsh Handicap Chase.
Top-weight Royale Pagaille loves nothing more than deep ground on Merseyside, but he must concede 14lb to Trelawne who appeals as a relatively unexposed runner with just seven chase starts on his CV.
He has yet to tackle a trip of this length, but he won over just short of three miles as a novice and his front-running fourth over the distance at Ascot promised much as the ground was altogether too quick for him that day.
Lingfield have some classy – if early – action and Santorini Star can take the highlight, the BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap.
A half-sister to Group One winner Dreamloper, she was beaten at the first attempt but has won twice subsequently, firstly in a mile novice before moving up to 10 furlongs to win on her handicap bow.
The one-and-a-half-length verdict does not really do justice to the manner of her win as she was slow to start and still won comfortably, with a 6lb rise well within her compass.
ASCOT: 12.30 Lulamba, 1.05 Rockinastorm, 1.40 Kargese, 2.15 Bad, 2.50 Doddiethegreat, 3.32 JONBON (NAP), 4.03 U Cant Be Serious.
HAYDOCK: 12.10 No No Tango, 1.40 Coniston George, 1.20 Blue Fin, 1.55 Royal Infantry, 2.30 Trelawne, 3.05 Inox Allen, 3.40 Prince Quali.
LINGFIELD: 10.15 Haaland, 10.45 Charlie Mason, 11.15 Second Name, 11.45 Humam, 12.15 Monsieur Beaulieu, 12.50 Eagle Day, 1.25 Santorini Star.
NAVAN: 12.00 Ballygunner Castle, 12.35 Kainsbourg, 1.10 Any Road, 1.45 Duffys Hodey, 2.20 Loughglynn, 2.55 Chosen Shant, 3.25 Sine Qua Non.
TAUNTON: 12.55 Roman Roy, 1.30 Seas The Day, 2.05 Honey Jack, 2.40 First Angel, 3.15 Dominic’s Fault, 3.50 Tribesmans Glory, 4.20 Ugo Bingo.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.30 Bossy Parker, 5.00 Plumette, 5.30 Imperial Fighter, 6.00 Lumberjack, 6.30 Twlight Diamond, 7.00 Street Life, 7.30 Global Effort, 8.00 Red Walls, 8.30 Disclosure.
DOUBLE: Jonbon and Lulamba.