Christmas arrived early for Nicky Henderson at Sandown as Jonbon joined some of the Seven Barrows greats on the Tingle Creek roll of honour and provide a joyous end to a testing few days for the trainer.
It looked like Henderson could have been featuring in his own nightmare before Christmas as a wet week and heavy downpours over night at the Esher track scuppered plans to run some of his finest operators in the rearranged Fighting Fifth.
Constitution Hill, Shishkin and hot novice prospect Willmount were all erased from the Seven Barrows team sheet before the horsebox departed Lambourn on Saturday morning, but the great white hope to save the day was Jonbon as he returned to the scene of his coming of age Celebration Chase success hoping to add to his Grade One haul.
Jonbon far from dazzled in the Sandown slop, but proved he is developing into the consummate professional to give his handler some temporary relief.
“It’s been a very tough weekend to be honest and heart-breaking really,” said Henderson.
“Of course we wanted to run them, I wanted Shishkin to run, I wanted Constitution Hill to run and I was looking forward to Willmount in the first. It’s very disappointing.
“It’s nice to get that one put away and he can rest up now, it takes the pressure off.
“When you are 100-30 on you are pleased when it’s over, but he is very good.”
Henderson can now look forward to the second half of the campaign with Jonbon who has finally removed any thoughts of moving up in distance.
The Champion Chase is the plan and El Fabiolo is the target and all at Seven Barrows will now be focussed on downing their Arkle conqueror when they meet for a third time in March.
“You can’t take anything away from El Fabiolo and we have a bit to find,” continued Henderson.
“We did beat him a neck at Aintree in a Grade One hurdle the year before. It’s 1-1 and all to play for and we will be watching him carefully tomorrow no doubt.
“It’s their turn to have a little sweat and then we will plan the second half of the campaign.
“I can’t see that they will meet along the way and I don’t think we will be going to Ireland put it like that. I’m rather hoping that Willie (Mullins) will play the same game as us and we will get ready for a match in March.
“There was a time last year I thought he wanted further, but to be fair, ever since then all he’s done is show us he is a two-miler so I think we have to stick to that plan.”
For Constitution Hill and Shishkin, both will now head to their respective Boxing Day targets without a run this season, with Henderson hoping the racing public will understand why National Hunt’s flagship name will remain under lock and key until Kempton.
He added: “I think we have done the right thing and it may be disappointing for other people. But if Sandown people couldn’t see them then I’m sorry, but the Kempton people hopefully will see them.
“We had to make very difficult decisions last night, regrettably, but I think everybody has appreciated the reasoning.
“One thing you can’t do is come here and Kempton on Boxing Day. One of them had to be sacrificed for the other. No way is a horse going to come back from a race in this ground in 16 days, so they stayed at home and we hope for nicer ground at Kempton and hopefully they will both be there.”
Constitution Hill’s bombproof nature may make the Christmas Hurdle a simple formality on his return to action, but the master of Seven Barrows has always been concerned about the prospect of Shishkin contesting the King George VI Chase without a prep run.
However, time has now run out with Henderson left with no option but to head to Sunbury the day after Christmas and pray the enigmatic nine-year-old does not repeat the Ascot antics that saw him left at the start in a stubborn fit of petulance.
“We’ve said the whole way through that I can’t see how you can win the King George first time out,” explained Henderson.
“Now what do we do? Where can we go? I’m not going to go back to hurdles again or even think about it, he will almost certainly run in the King George.
“It’s quite an open King Gorge, but it doesn’t invite itself as a race for first-time outers. That start at Ascot was a catastrophe really. Not only did it cost him a run in a valuable race, but it has cost him his whole prep as well. With the weather we are where we are and we can’t do anything about it.
“The most important thing was to get a run into him because he can be a stroppy devil at home, but once you get a run into him he suddenly comes into our hands and we are in control. Maybe you will see me at the start? Although they tell me I’m not allowed to!”
Gordon Elliott continued in red-hot form with four winners at Navan.
The day started on the right note as Jigoro landed the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle under Jack Kennedy at 5-2, a convincing victory after making the running on his second start over hurdles.
The French-bred four-year-old is owned by Bective Stud and finished nine lengths ahead of Tom Coopers’ Butcher Hollow.
“It was a good performance and we knew he had improved plenty from the first day,” said Elliott.
“Obviously there was a lot of talk about Tom Cooper’s horse and I thought it was a good performance.
“Jack was delighted with him and said he’ll stay further. He said a faster gallop would have suited him but he was very happy with the run.
“He could go for the four-year-old hurdle at Limerick over Christmas.”
Caldwell Potter then provided another wide-margin success for the stable when landing the Headfort Arms Hotel Maiden Hurdle by seven lengths under Kennedy.
The grey is a full brother to the late Grade One winner Mighty Potter and was second on his hurdles debut last time out at Punchestown.
“He was a weak horse but he’s got a lot stronger,” Elliott said of the 8-13 favourite.
“We’ll try and keep it small with him if we can. He’s a chaser in the making, he’s a brother to Mighty Potter.”
There was a pause in the Elliott dominance as Henry de Bromhead took the Tote Navan Novice Hurdle with Slade Steel and Willie Mullins won the Listed Bective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartments Handicap Hurdle with We’llhavewan – a seven-length winner at 10-1 under Paul Townend.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father Willie, said: “We weren’t sure about the ground but we stuck cheekpieces on him and we were getting in with a light weight.
“It was great prize-money so we took our chance and it’s brilliant. It’s a brilliant pot.
“He’s rated lower over fences but he didn’t jump fantastic over fences before. Paul came in there and said he might be better now so we might look at something over fences next.”
The Mullins team also took the Durnin Workshop Beginners Chase with Indiana Dream, a 13-length winner under Mark Walsh at 5-2.
Elliott was back in the prizes in the Listed Foxrock Handicap Chase, where Embittered defied odds of 16-1 to score by nine lengths under conditional rider Carl Millar.
“He won well and it was a nice pot,” said the trainer.
“He had nice run the last day in Cork, we were delighted with it, and he did it well there today. Carl is good value for 7lb.
“I’ve no real plan for him, we’ll try and find something similar.”
The final event of the day was also claimed by Elliott, though this time he was fraternising with the enemy somewhat as Patrick Mullins took the ride on My Trump Card in the Timeless Sash Windows INH Flat Race and won by nine lengths as the 30-100 favourite.
“He’s a lovely big galloping horse, a smashing horse, and he’s a horse for the future.
“He’ll go jumping now. He improved plenty from the last day, in fairness, so we’re delighted.
“It looked like a winnable race. We had another horse to run but he didn’t work as well as I thought he would the other day.
“He could maybe run again over hurdles at Christmas.”
Chambard had to be very tough to land Aintree’s Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase and help amateur rider Lucy Turner the become first woman to win the famous race.
Venetia Williams’ 11-year-old was among the lesser-fancied of the 12 runners over the Grand National fences as heavy ground guaranteed the event was going to be a real test of stamina.
Under Turner the bay never looked to struggle with the conditions, however, jumping soundly at the head of the field with Laura Morgan’s Percussion for company.
Gradually the going took its toll on the field and plenty of horses were pulled up at the rear of the pack as Chambard still travelled happily at the front and was eventually left well clear to canter to a 13-length success at 18-1 over top weight Coko Beach
Turner said: “Chambard has been fantastic for me won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham also), and I am so pleased for David and Carol (Shaw, owners), who have been great supporters of mine over the last few years, so it is nice to get another big one for them.
“He hasn’t jumped these fences before, so we said we’d see how he takes to them, but that was the best spin I’ve ever had round there and he just loved it and kept galloping.
“As soon as they came to him, he quickened again. I could sort of hear the others coming, but he’s gone again, and at the last he was like a fresh horse.
“I’ve always wanted to ride a winner over these fences, so to do it on him means the world.
“It was a little bit hard going trying to see coming into the home straight with all the rain coming down and the headwind, but he was a total professional. I think he surprises people. They think, ‘can he go and do that?’ but then he shows them he can.
“This is probably the best day I’ve ever had in racing. Aintree is such a marvellous place, so to have a winner here is fantastic. April (and the Grand National) is a long way away and we will think about that when the time comes, but this is a dream.
“In the final furlong you just want to keep kicking until you are over the line, but I had a little look at the big screen and I could see we were clear. After the line, I was thinking, ‘has that actually just happened?’
“If I can inspire someone from the next generation by winning here today, that’s wonderful.
“Chambard is a lovely horse. He’s very laid back and always has a smile on his face, as you can see – he’s always got his teeth out – and he’s a real yard favourite.”
Owner David Shaw, who lives in Cheshire, said: “We’ve been lucky enough to have a few winners with Venetia – we thought Cheltenham was the pinnacle, but this gets pretty close to that. We love having Lucy on board!”
Nigel Twiston-Davies had a good day with two winners across the card, firstly with Norman Fletcher as he took the Boylesports Money Back 2nd Meeting Novices’ Hurdle under the trainer’s son Sam.
An 11-4 chance after winning at Market Rasen last time out, the four-year-old continued on an upward trajectory with a three-and-three-quarter-length victory.
“Although you wouldn’t see it today on heavy ground, he’s got a lot of pace,” Sam Twiston-Davies said.
“I don’t know what the handicapper will do but in a 0-120, two-mile handicap hurdle somewhere on nice ground, he’d be hard to beat, I think.”
Zambella was then a second winner for the team, landing the rearranged Boylesports Houghton Mares’ Chase, a Listed race, by an easy 17 lengths as the evens favourite under Daryl Jacob.
The mare is a twelve-time winner and clearly a real favourite for all connections, who are planning her season around a possible trip to the breeding shed later on in the term.
“She’s an absolute queen, isn’t she?” said Jacob, wearing the colours of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“She’s the apple of our eye as far as mares are concerned. She turns up every year, she runs her heart out, she gives everything that she has.
“Nigel and his team have done a great job, and with the race being rearranged, it actually suits her better here, going left-handed. I was delighted again when the rain came. She’s such a wonderful, honest thing and tried very hard.”
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, said: “She just loves it. She seems in as good form as ever. It’s an easily mapped out route, all being well – she’ll go to Doncaster at Christmas, then there’s Huntingdon. She’s not quite as good at Huntingdon, but there’s a valuable race there in early February.”
Donald McCain’s Richmond Lake survived a mistake at the last to land the Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase at 4-1 under Brian Hughes.
“We got away with it,” McCain said.
“This was the plan – we just wanted to get a blow into him at Wetherby, and it worked out better than we thought. My assistant Adrian (Lane) rides him every day, he shows nothing at home, nothing. But he’s a good little racehorse.”
Chambard had to be very tough to land Aintree’s Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase and help amateur rider Lucy Turner the become first woman to win the famous race.
Venetia Williams’ 11-year-old was among the lesser-fancied of the 12 runners over the Grand National fences as heavy ground guaranteed the event was going to be a real test of stamina.
Under Turner the bay never looked to struggle with the conditions, however, jumping soundly at the head of the field with Laura Morgan’s Percussion for company.
Gradually the going took its toll on the field and plenty of horses were pulled up at the rear of the pack as Chambard still travelled happily at the front and was eventually left well clear to canter to a 13-length success at 18-1 over top weight Coko Beach
Turner said: “Chambard has been fantastic for me won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham also), and I am so pleased for David and Carol (Shaw, owners), who have been great supporters of mine over the last few years, so it is nice to get another big one for them.
“He hasn’t jumped these fences before, so we said we’d see how he takes to them, but that was the best spin I’ve ever had round there and he just loved it and kept galloping.
“As soon as they came to him, he quickened again. I could sort of hear the others coming, but he’s gone again, and at the last he was like a fresh horse.
“I’ve always wanted to ride a winner over these fences, so to do it on him means the world.
“It was a little bit hard going trying to see coming into the home straight with all the rain coming down and the headwind, but he was a total professional. I think he surprises people. They think, ‘can he go and do that?’ but then he shows them he can.
“This is probably the best day I’ve ever had in racing. Aintree is such a marvellous place, so to have a winner here is fantastic. April (and the Grand National) is a long way away and we will think about that when the time comes, but this is a dream.
“In the final furlong you just want to keep kicking until you are over the line, but I had a little look at the big screen and I could see we were clear. After the line, I was thinking, ‘has that actually just happened?’
“If I can inspire someone from the next generation by winning here today, that’s wonderful.
“Chambard is a lovely horse. He’s very laid back and always has a smile on his face, as you can see – he’s always got his teeth out – and he’s a real yard favourite.”
Owner David Shaw, who lives in Cheshire, said: “We’ve been lucky enough to have a few winners with Venetia – we thought Cheltenham was the pinnacle, but this gets pretty close to that. We love having Lucy on board!”
Nigel Twiston-Davies had a good day with two winners across the card, firstly with Norman Fletcher as he took the Boylesports Money Back 2nd Meeting Novices’ Hurdle under the trainer’s son Sam.
An 11-4 chance after winning at Market Rasen last time out, the four-year-old continued on an upward trajectory with a three-and-three-quarter-length victory.
“Although you wouldn’t see it today on heavy ground, he’s got a lot of pace,” Sam Twiston-Davies said.
“I don’t know what the handicapper will do but in a 0-120, two-mile handicap hurdle somewhere on nice ground, he’d be hard to beat, I think.”
Zambella was then a second winner for the team, landing the rearranged Boylesports Houghton Mares’ Chase, a Listed race, by an easy 17 lengths as the evens favourite under Daryl Jacob.
The mare is a twelve-time winner and clearly a real favourite for all connections, who are planning her season around a possible trip to the breeding shed later on in the term.
“She’s an absolute queen, isn’t she?” said Jacob, wearing the colours of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“She’s the apple of our eye as far as mares are concerned. She turns up every year, she runs her heart out, she gives everything that she has.
“Nigel and his team have done a great job, and with the race being rearranged, it actually suits her better here, going left-handed. I was delighted again when the rain came. She’s such a wonderful, honest thing and tried very hard.”
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, said: “She just loves it. She seems in as good form as ever. It’s an easily mapped out route, all being well – she’ll go to Doncaster at Christmas, then there’s Huntingdon. She’s not quite as good at Huntingdon, but there’s a valuable race there in early February.”
Donald McCain’s Richmond Lake survived a mistake at the last to land the Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase at 4-1 under Brian Hughes.
“We got away with it,” McCain said.
“This was the plan – we just wanted to get a blow into him at Wetherby, and it worked out better than we thought. My assistant Adrian (Lane) rides him every day, he shows nothing at home, nothing. But he’s a good little racehorse.”
Jonbon showed a different side to his character when running out a gritty winner of the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
The two-mile Grade One was run in very testing conditions and Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old was not seen to best effect but took his record to 12 wins from 14 career outings.
Only four went to post with Boothill a non-runner but Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux made sure there was no hanging about.
Nico de Boinville had Jonbon settled in second but when the runners went out down the back straight he was jumping so well he soon found himself upsides.
Edwardstone survived a bad blunder at one of the Railway Fences but did not lose much momentum and he soon got involved on the turn for home.
Briefly Jonbon looked like he may have a real fight on his hands but his class come to the fore and he was soon back on the bridle.
Having safely jumped the last fence Jonbon, sent off the 30-100 favourite, stayed on strongly to beat Edwardstone by two and three-quarter lengths.
On Friday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) mourned the loss of two esteemed former Guyana and West Indies cricketers. Joe Solomon, renowned for his exceptional batting prowess in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away at 93. Clyde Butts, the former off-spinner and Guyana captain in the 1980s, passed away at the age of 66 due to a motor vehicle accident.
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies, paid tribute, saying, "the remarkable contributions of Joe Solomon and Clyde Butts will be remembered not only by those in their native Guyana but also by many across the West Indies."
He continued, "Joe Solomon stood among the heroes of West Indies cricket. His iconic play – the pick-up, throw, and run-out of Ian Meckiff in the tied Test – remains an indelible moment in our history. His dedication to the game was evident in mentoring numerous players, showing his commitment to the sport's development. He was a true servant of the game."
President Shallow noted, "Clyde Butts, a stalwart figure in West Indies' first-class history, displayed extraordinary adeptness as an off-spinner and captain for Guyana. His legacy extended beyond the field, earning him recognition as a statesman and ambassador for the game in Guyana and the region. In retirement, his unwavering commitment to coaching reflected his dedication. He tirelessly invested hours, nurturing young talent and passionately fostering their development within the sport."
He further remarked, "he served with distinction as Team Manager for the West Indies Under-19 team. His exceptional leadership as Chairman of Selectors notably resulted in forming the triumphant team that won the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup, a victory that brought immense pride and glory to the people of the West Indies."
Joseph Stanislaus Solomon played 27 Test matches from 1958 to 1965. His debut in 1958 against India in Kanpur showcased impressive scores of 45 and 86, including a partnership of 163 with Garfield Sobers. He gained fame for his run-out of the last Australian batsman, leading to the famous tied Test in December 1960 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Clyde Godfrey Butts made his Test debut in 1987 at Bourda Oval and played seven Tests during West Indies' dominant era. He stood among the leading bowlers in the West Indies first-class championship in the 1980s, concluding his career with 348 first-class wickets. After retirement, he served as an administrator, chairing the West Indies Men’s senior selection panel during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win in 2012 in Sri Lanka under Darren Sammy's leadership.
Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel continued to impress with a neat victory in the Tote Navan Novice Hurdle.
The Robcour-owned five-year-old was a point-to-point and bumper winner who made a taking start to his career over obstacles when winning a Naas maiden by five and a half lengths in November.
This was a step up to Grade Two level under Rachael Blackmore and the gelding proved himself worthy of the task with a tough half-length win from Lecky Watson at 2-1.
“I’m delighted with that, it was tough work,” said De Bromhead.
“We’d always hoped he’d be a better horse on nicer ground, he’d definitely have a preference for it, so it’s great to see him get through that and get the job done.
“Rachael was happy and said he idled a little bit in front. He’s progressing which is lovely.
“I don’t think he needs to go up to an extreme distance, he’s got plenty of gears and he won a bumper well.”
As for next steps for the bay, De Bromhead added: “There is the Dublin Racing Festival, although you might have to drop back or go up further there.
“We’ll see, we’ll enjoy today as that was a good race to win today. We’ll discuss it and see what everyone would like to do.”
Despite a failed Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup qualifying campaign, Trinidad and Tobago senior women’s Head coach Richard Hood took heart from the effort of his team, as he forecast that much more can be achieved, provided there is continuity going forward.
Hood’s sentiments followed a spirited performance by his team in limiting regional powerhouse Mexico to one goal, on their home leg at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo. This was particularly pleasing because Trinidad and Tobago were hammered 6-0 when they first visited the Mexicans.
So, while the twin island republic didn’t secure a spot in next year’s Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup group stage or preliminary round, Hood felt their objective, which was continued improvement, was met for the parts.
Trinidad and Tobago finished at the bottom of the three-team League A group with a solitary point, as Mexico (12 points) and Puerto Rico (four points) progressed to the inaugural Gold Cup.
"I was satisfied with the efforts from the team and satisfied with the organisation. I am not so much satisfied with the offensive part, as I thought we struggled to keep the ball," Hood said.
"I am happy with the performance and the effort from the younger girls. I thought the real purpose for me in this game was to keep demonstrating the improvements (we have made), and I think we did that,” he added.
The tactician singled out 23-year-old goalkeeper Simone Eligon for some praise, as she was impressive throughout the campaign, and was even named to the Concacaf League A Best XI for the October window.
"Simone has been magnificent. She has come up big for us in each of the (three) games she has played. She was a little nervous in her first game against Puerto Rico but that is understandable. International football is a completely different kettle of fish. Our understanding of the tactical requirements of the game — offensively and defensively — was good,” Hood noted.
Still, Hood pointed out that there is much more work to do if the Women Warriors are to be more competitive in the future, which is why he stressed the need for continued development of the programme.
"We were not great offensively, but it is a work in progress. It is something we have to keep continuously working on with the girls. It is important for us to maintain continuity where the local girls are concerned and we have to monitor those who are abroad as well,” Hood reasoned.
"Minister Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis indicated the ministry is very much willing to back the women's programme to the same level of monetary (contributions) from Concacaf. She asked us to make proposals and we are going to do that. It is critical for the women's programme. We must never get back to the level where we met the programme when we started in July this year,” he noted.
Not So Sleepy stayed on best of all to win the rescheduled Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown.
Saved from Newcastle’s abandoned card last weekend, the race lost plenty of its lustre when Nicky Henderson withdrew the current champion hurdler Constitution Hill and stablemate Shishkin.
That meant just four went to post, with Goshen and You Wear It Well setting a strong enough gallop in the conditions.
By the second last those two had done their running while Not So Sleepy, who turns 12 in a few weeks, was still on the bridle under Sean Bowen.
Love Envoi, who had not really been travelling throughout, soon appeared on the scene but approaching the last Not So Sleepy, who dead-heated in the race with Epatante in 2021, quickened eight lengths clear.
It was a noteworthy success for Bowen, who also holds a sizeable lead in the race to become champion jockey.
Booster Bob could have an exciting future having stayed on strongly in testing ground to claim the Betfair Claremont Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
Sent off the 5-6 favourite for the Listed event, Olly Murphy’s five-year-old had previously relished testing conditions when claiming a Uttoxeter novice event by 18-lengths.
However, even he struggled to get into a rhythm in the deep ground at the Esher track and relied on his class to overhaul Helnwein once strenuously ridden after the last by Sean Bowen.
“I was never happy,” said Murphy. “I don’t think he jumped great for him and he loves that ground, but they went very steady and turned it into a sprint which wouldn’t have suited.
“He’s got a lot of ability and I don’t think he did a lot right today. I don’t think the hood suits him now, he wants that off.
“They went very steady and when you go steady in a tactical race, sat last of three isn’t the best place to be. He was very free as a bumper horse and he’s come a long way in a short period of time.”
Despite seeing Booster Bob as both a horse for further and fences, it is Haydock’s Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (January 20) up next. However, a trip to the Cheltenham Festival appears off the cards for this season.
“Do I think he is a horse for the Supreme? No is the answer,” added Murphy.
“I think he’s an out and out chaser and he will probably go to Haydock now for the Supreme trial at the end of January – bad ground, two miles. He’s crying out for two and a half, but he can race with the choke out and I would be just worried about going two-and-a-half just yet.
“I wont blow his mind now this season. If there was a bit of slow ground at Aintree or something like that, then maybe. But going round Cheltenham in a 16-runner Grade One isn’t for this lad at the moment.”
El Fabiolo begins on a well-trodden path to the Queen Mother Champion Chase when kicking off his season in the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.
His trainer Willie Mullins has won the race a record 14 times, with Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene amongst the Closutton alumni to claim this prize en route to the Cheltenham Festival.
Energumene used this as his starting point in both of his Champion Chase-winning seasons, but with his injury setback putting respective hat-trick bids on hold, the door has been opened for El Fabiolo to fill the void.
Unbeaten as a chaser, the six-year-old registered a brilliant Grade One treble last season, winning at the Dublin, Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals in supreme fashion – and he is already dominating the ante-post betting for the Champion Chase in March.
“He was unbeaten over fences last season and this looks a nice starting point for the new campaign,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to El Fabiolo’s owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“It’s been Willie’s plan from quite a long way out really, to go for this race, and we’re excited to see him back out.
“It’s really good prize-money for a Grade Two. He has got the entry in the Grade One at Christmas and we’ll get the Hilly Way out of the way first, but it could be coming a bit close.
“We’ll just see how he comes out of the race, but it’s all systems go for Sunday. It’s a tried and tested route for Willie – he tries to run his best two-miler in it, and hopefully El Fabiolo might be that now with Energumene on the sidelines.”
El Fabiolo’s opposition includes a former Closutton stablemate in Jungle Boogie, who is one of two in the race for new handler Henry de Bromhead, alongside convincing Grand Annual victor Maskada.
Barberstown Castle Chase runner-up Fil Dor represents the flying Gordon Elliott team, with Gavin Cromwell’s Grand National runner-up Vanillier and Patrick Foley’s Rebel Gold also taking part.
“We were delighted with Fil Dor at Naas and he’s in good form ahead of Sunday,” said Elliott.
“Naas was his first run of the season and his first run back over fences, so there was a lot of positives but obviously we are taking on a very good horse in El Fabiolo.
“Our lad is in good form, has a run under his belt and there is no point in shying away from one horse. Hopefully he’ll run well.”
Elsewhere on the card, there could be success for Mullins when Grade One-winning hurdler Zenta makes her chasing bow in the Grade Two O’Flynn Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.
The four-year-old hardly put a foot wrong last term, winning at Fairyhouse on her stable debut before finishing third to Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle and then achieving her own big-race victory at Aintree.
“It’s a nice race to start off with and Willie is happy with her, so let’s hope she jumps a good round and goes well,” said owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“She’s been very consistent and it was great to get the Grade One with her in the spring. We’re hoping for a good round and for her to run well.”
Zenta faces stern opposition from within her own stable, with Paul Townend partnering wide-margin Killarney winner Hauturiere and the Kenny Alexander-owned Heia also engaged.
Harmonya Maker made a blistering start to her chasing career at Gowran Park and represents Elliott, with Con O’Keeffe’s Silent Approach completing the line-up.
“We couldn’t have asked for more from Harmonya Maker at Gowran and she’s in good form,” Elliott said. “This was the next obvious race for her and we’ll see where we go from here for the rest of the season with her.”
In the Grade Three Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle, big-money buy Mahon’s Way will look to build on an impressive debut over timber at Naas for De Bromhead.
Janidil bids to escape the clutches of some of Ireland’s best chasers when he pays a visit to Huntingdon for the TrustATrader Peterborough Chase.
Willie Mullins’ raider is a regular in Grade One events on home soil and was handed the formidable task of facing Allaho on his seasonal return in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
However, connections now hope to have found the nine-year-old the perfect opportunity to register a seventh victory of his highly-respectable career when he crosses the Irish Sea for this Grade Two contest.
“It looked a nice race for him and there wasn’t going to be too many runners,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“He’s in good form and this looked the ideal race for him. He’s ran into a few good horses in the last few seasons, but Willie is happy with him and we’re looking for a good run.”
With Edwardstone headed to the Tingle Creek, with this race only an emergency option in case of weather woes, Janidil’s chief threat could be provided by First Flow, who won the 2021 renewal before finishing third 12 months ago.
Kim Bailey’s 11-year-old chased home the high-class Boothill at Ascot on his return and his handler feels conditions are ideal for a bold bid.
He said: “I’m very happy with him and David (Bass, jockey) has schooled him this week and was happy. He will get his ground, which will be a big difference for him this time and hopefully he will run a big race.
“I would have to say it was probably as good a run as he’s ever done (behind Boothill at Ascot). It might sound stupid at the age of 11, but I thought it was a phenomenal run.”
Paul Nicholls won this with Pic D’Orhy in 2022 and attempts to repeat the dose with Solo, another likeable contender in the same colours of Johnny de la Hey.
The seven-year-old went some way to justifying his lofty reputation when downing Coral Gold Cup winner Datsalrightgino in the Pendil Novices’ Chase last term and was runner-up in the Haldon Gold Cup on his return to action.
Aintree’s Old Roan Chase form will be put to the test with Ryan Potter’s Jetoile attempting to confirm his victory over Sam Thomas’ Al Dancer, who was four and a half lengths back in third.
Jetoile has won his last three chasing starts but now faces the acid test which will inform connections whether they have a performer of real top-quality on their hands.
Potter said: “He’s won his last three and obviously the Old Roan was a massive step forward that has put him in with the class of horse we know he is.
“There’s only a small field but it’s a hot race, for sure. He’ll have to improve again from the Old Roan, but there’s no reason why he won’t.
“He’s not the best work horse in the world, so I thought it was very impressive the way he got stuck in up the home straight at Aintree, because that wouldn’t normally be his asset.
“Usually, it’s his jumping and travelling, but the fact that the race probably didn’t suit, I thought he was really good.
“We’ll know where we will stand after Sunday and it will be unbelievable if he went and won on Sunday, then you know you have a Grade One horse.
“We’re realistic, we had him tuned up for the Old Roan and that was our target, so anything after that is a bonus this season.”
Nicky Henderson has withdrawn Constitution Hill and Shishkin from the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown.
While the meeting passed a 7.30am inspection, rain was still falling throughout the morning at the Esher track on already heavy ground on the hurdles track and conditions are being monitored.
Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill was supposed to make his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle last weekend but the meeting was abandoned with the Fighting Fifth moved to Sandown.
Shishkin was an intended runner at Newcastle also, in the Rehearsal Chase, but in an attempt to get a prep run into him before the King George, Henderson had declared him alongside his stablemate.
However, neither will run at Sandown, nor will promising novice hurdler Willmount in an earlier race but Jonbon is still an intended starter in the Tingle Creek.
Henderson said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Due to the extremely testing going, we have decided that Constitution Hill will not run in today’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown because it would simply not be fair to race him under such extreme conditions on his first run of the season.
“It is too close to Boxing Day, and he can’t do both, so, all being well, he’ll go straight to Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle.
“Shishkin has also been withdrawn, along with Willmount from his intended engagement in the Listed Novices’ Hurdle.”
As for Jonbon he added: “He has had a run so is fit and well, and the ground is much more suitable on the chase course. It is very unfortunate, and we are all sorry they won’t be turning up, but we have to put the horses first — it’s as simple as that.”
Sandown’s Betfair Tingle Creek card has passed a morning inspection but with further rain forecast conditions at still being monitored.
Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper felt the course was raceable before the scheduled 7.30am precautionary inspection, however, with up to another six millimetres and possibly more rain still to fall, he will be keeping a close eye on how the course is shaping up.
As well as the Tingle Creek the meeting features the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle, saved from Newcastle’s abandoned meeting last week.
Chepstow will inspect again at 8.30am as while the course is currently raceable 15 millimetres of rain has fallen since midnight.
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