Nicky Henderson: Jonbon can join ‘the greats’ by matching Kauto Star with successive Tingle Creeks
Jonbon Aims to Reign Supreme in Tingle Creek Chase
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Seven Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson believes Jonbon has what it takes to join the pantheon of greats who have won the prestigious Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown park.
The eight-year-old, owned by JP McManus, is set to defend his crown on saturday, aiming to emulate the legendary kauto Star who achieved the feat in 2006.Henderson, renowned for his mastery of training top-class two-milers, has overseen the careers of champions like Remittance Man, Travado, Sprinter Sacre (2012 Tingle Creek winner), and Altior (2018 Tingle Creek winner). He sees Jonbon, a seven-time grade One winner, as fitting comfortably among these equine superstars.
“I think you have to give him pretty high star status as he certainly compares with all the others,” Henderson said. “To be fair any horse that has won the amount of Grade Ones that he has done has to be pretty good.”
Henderson acknowledges the unique qualities of each of his past champions, but believes Jonbon possesses the same winning spirit. “They have all been completely different. Sprinter was unique as he was just a big,beautiful,mighty horse and Altior was great. He matches up with all the other lads. He is a great character.”
Just as he did last season, Jonbon will be looking to build on a comeback victory in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham.He will face familiar rivals in Boothill, Edwardstone, and Unexpected Party, who finished second, third, and fourth respectively in that Grade Two contest.Henderson is confident Jonbon can confirm his superiority at Sandown, a track where he remains unbeaten in four starts. “We are very happy with Jonbon,” he said. “Paddy [Murphy] who rides him every day tells me he is very happy, but he is an eternal optimist so I hope he is right!
“The whole idea of the Shloer is that it is indeed a nice stepping stone, and even though it comes quite close to the Tingle Creek, it brought him on really well last year, and I’d be disappointed if it hasn’t brought him on again this year.”
Jonbon Primed for Tingle Creek Defense as Henderson Eyes Champion Chase Glory
Sandown, england – Trainer Nicky henderson is brimming with confidence as Jonbon prepares to defend his title in the prestigious Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding, owned by JP McManus, will face stiff competition from a field that includes stablemate Edwardstone and the talented Boothill.
“Edwardstone was there with us in the Shloer and I expect Alan King thinks and hopes he’ll have come on for that race, and the second, Boothill, as well,” Henderson said.”They were all making their seasonal debuts,but we hope we can confirm the placings.”
Despite the strong opposition,Henderson remains optimistic about JonbonS chances.
“They are all entitled to come on for the Shloer run, but so is Jonbon and I think we are in a good place with him,” he added.
Henderson is unfazed by the prospect of testing ground conditions, believing Jonbon possesses the versatility to handle any surface.
“I gather there is plenty of rain to come so we’ve got to be prepared for soft ground, but I think he is pretty versatile as far as ground is concerned. Like any top-class horse, he can handle most things,” Henderson explained.
A victory in the Tingle Creek woudl be especially meaningful for Henderson, who holds the race in high regard.
“It would be good if he could win this for a second time as this is one of the first big Grade One tests on the calendar and it is a historic race in memory of what was a great horse in Tingle Creek, who I remember well,” he said.
Looking ahead, Henderson has his sights set on the ultimate prize for two-mile chasers: the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
“He was supposed to go to Cheltenham for the Queen Mother in March, but as you know we weren’t happy with the horses on the whole at that time, and we had to just pass the meeting by,” Henderson revealed. ”we then wanted to go to Aintree, where there isn’t a two-mile race, but a very good two-and-a-half-mile race.”
While Jonbon successfully tackled the longer distance at Aintree, Henderson believes sticking to two miles is the best path to Cheltenham glory.
“He looks set to stick to the minimum trip for the time being as his trainer aims to add the Champion Chase at Cheltenham to the gelding’s CV,” henderson concluded.
The stage is set for a thrilling renewal of the Tingle Creek Chase, with Jonbon poised to defend his crown and cement his status as one of the leading contenders for the Champion Chase.
Shishkin Set for Two-Mile Return in Festivity Chase
Nicky Henderson Eyes Champion Chase Glory for Star Chaser
Trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed that Shishkin will return to two miles for the Celebration Chase at Sandown Park in April, following his remarkable victory in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park.
The seven-year-old, who has won eight of his 11 starts over fences, was a dominant force over two miles last season, claiming the Arkle Trophy at the cheltenham Festival. However, Henderson opted to step Shishkin up in distance this season, with mixed results.”He’s going to go back to two miles for the Celebration Chase,” Henderson said. “Two and a half miles around Aintree is a different ball game to two miles around Cheltenham. One is a very easy track, and one is a very stiff one.”
Henderson acknowledged the temptation to try Shishkin over three miles, perhaps in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. However, he ultimately decided that sticking to two miles was the best course of action.
“It would have been very interesting to have tried three miles, and if you were ever going to do it, I suppose the obvious thing would have been to look at the King George,” Henderson explained. “But if you do that, you then take him out of the Tingle Creek.”
Shishkin has yet to win the Champion Chase, the most prestigious two-mile chase in the National Hunt calendar. While Henderson recognizes the allure of that prize, he remains focused on taking things one race at a time.”He hasn’t won a Champion Chase,and that would be nice,” Henderson said. “But you just take things one race at a time.”
Constitution Hill Update
henderson also provided an update on Constitution Hill, who was forced to miss his intended return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle after being found lame following a workout.
“We are just working away on Constitution Hill,” Henderson said. “He will be working away this weekend and we have then got another couple of weeks until the Christmas Hurdle [Kempton Park, St Stephen’s Day].”
“Hopefully everything is on schedule. it is indeed just routine work he will be doing at the weekend.”
Jonbon: A Champ in the Making?
News Direct 3 – This Saturday, all eyes will be on Sandown Park as Jonbon, the reigning champion, bids for glory in the prestigious Tingle Creek Chase. We spoke to trainer Nicky Henderson to get his thoughts on Jonbon’s chances of emulating legends like Kauto Star, securing his place among the greats.
“I think you have to give him pretty high star status,” Henderson stated, drawing comparisons with his past champions, including Sprinter Sacre and Altior, both Tingle Creek winners under his tutelage.
While each champion has possessed unique qualities, Henderson sees something special in Jonbon. “They’ve all been completely different. Sprinter was unique, Altior was great… He matches up with all the other lads. He’s a great character.”
Jonbon arrives at sandown after a accomplished comeback win in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, a race that also featured his Tingle Creek rivals Boothill, Edwardstone, and Unexpected Party. Henderson sees this triumph as the perfect preparation.
“The whole idea of the Shloer is that it’s indeed a nice stepping stone,” he explained, reflecting on last year’s successful blueprint. “Even though it comes quite close to the Tingle Creek, it brought him on really well, and I’d be disappointed if it hasn’t brought him on again this year.”
But the field is stacked, with Edwardstone and Boothill looking to bounce back from their Shloer defeats. “They were all making their seasonal debuts,” Henderson acknowledges, “but we hope we can confirm the placings.”
Despite the fierce competition, Henderson remains confident.
“They are all entitled to come on for the Shloer run, but so is Jonbon, and I think we are in a good place with him,” he concluded, leaving a sense of optimism hanging in the air.
Perhaps this saturday we will witness Jonbon etch his name among the Tingle creek elite.
Stay tuned to News Direct 3 for all the latest updates from Sandown Park.
End of Interview