Jonbon 'heading for Sandown' and Tingle Creek hat-trick bid despite market drift and Huntingdon entry

The three-way clash in Saturday's Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (3.00) remains on, with Nicky Henderson confirming Jonbon is still set for the Grade 1 despite drifting in the market on Tuesday.

The nine-year-old has taken the last two runnings of the Grade 1 but is also entered in the Sky Bet Peterborough Chase (3.00) at Huntingdon a day later and he was pushed out to as big as 9-2 for the Tingle Creek with Ladbrokes and Coral on Tuesday.

However, Henderson reported a return to Sandown, where he would bid to avenge his last two defeats against Il Etait Temps and L'Eau Du Sud, remains the favoured option.

• 'It's a race I'd love to win and there are no negatives with him' - Paul Townend out to break Tingle Creek duck on Il Etait Temps 

Jonbon was beaten by Il Etait Temps in the Celebration Chase at the track on the final day of last season, while he was 15 lengths behind L'Eau Du Sud on his comeback in the Shloer Chase last month.

Henderson said: "Jonbon was in great form on Tuesday morning. Nico [De Boinville] jumped five fences on him and he was great, so Sandown's currently the plan instead of the Peterborough Chase. Huntingdon is sort of a safety net, but at this stage we're heading for Sandown."

Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper does not expect the going to deteriorate ahead of Tingle Creek day, and Henderson is keen to see if Jonbon can emulate Flagship Uberalles in winning the race three years in a row.

Jonbon: looks set to bid for a third straight Tingle Creek win this weekendCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He said: "If there's a lot of rain around Sandown and anything dramatic changes, then we have another option on the same weekend. The Huntingdon entry was a last-minute 'in case of emergency', if you like. 

"We'd love to win three Tingle Creeks in a row and I must say he couldn't be in better form. We're all ready to go."

One Henderson star certain to line up on the Sandown undercard will be Lulamba, who will tackle the Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.50).

Lulamba: will make his second chase start at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The four-year-old will be pitched back into Grade 1 company on just his second start over fences after he made a winning chasing debut at Exeter last month, when some obstacles were omitted due to the low sun.

Henderson said: "Lulamba did the same as Jonbon in jumping five fences, and they did their little spin together. He's all set to go to Sandown as well. It looks like a smart race, doesn't it? It'll be a good test of his jumping."

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (3.00 Sandown, Saturday)
Betfair Sportsbook: 8-13 Il Etait Temps, 2 L'Eau Du Sud, 9-2 Jonbon, 20 Libberty Hunter, 25 Boothill, 33 Edwardstone

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