'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

Saturday: 1.45 Sandown
Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

There are just two British-trained short-priced favourites at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and last week Constitution Hill vindicated his position in the Champion Hurdle betting with a dazzling display at Newcastle. Now it's the turn of his stablemate Jonbon to justify short Arkle odds in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

Bookmakers were bowled over by Jonbon's chasing debut in a three-runner affair at Warwick as he was subsequently slashed to 2-1 for the Arkle. That could be the worst price about a festival favourite as Jonbon's reputation surely outweighs his on-course achievements.

The only time Nicky Henderson's talented youngster met a genuine Grade 1 performer he was given a 22-length drubbing by Constitution Hill in the Supreme.

Clearly, Constitution Hill is a generational talent and that is not an effort by which to condemn Jonbon. However, his debut success over fences warrants a touch more scrutiny.

That victory culminated in the defeat of a horse who is crying out for further in Monmiral, while back in third was West Cork, who was beaten a similar distance by Stage Star in an earlier novice. Stage Star struggled in a weak Grade 2 at odds of 2-7 next time.

We learned little at Warwick bar Jonbon's above-average engine remains intact and his jumping is an asset.

While Jonbon's winning effort remains the standout performance from a novice chaser on Racing Post Ratings this campaign, we have only just entered December. These are relatively early days in the season and more is required to anoint this six-year-old as the next big thing just yet.

The four-runner Henry VIII highlights a worrying lack of strength in depth in the British crop of early-season two-mile novice chasers.

Punters bidding to seize some ante-post value at Cheltenham about Jonbon, who is deservedly heavily odds-on at Sandown, are ill advised to take the pre-race 2-1 for the Arkle.

It is feasible Jonbon could land the Henry VIII with ease yet fail to enhance his festival credentials against the cream of Ireland's powerhouse stables.

The 123-rated Honneur D'Ajonc is dismissed at this level and the race for second lies between Boothill and Unexpected Party.

Boothill carries the greater market expectation and has improved for a fence, landing two handicaps off marks of 132 and 140 in decent fashion.

However, Unexpected Party might prove the value in their private battle. Unexpected Party was the superior hurdler and traded at a low of 1.4 in running to beat subsequent easy Grade 2 scorer McFabulous when runner-up on his chasing debut over 2m3f last time.

A non-stayer that day, this drop in trip is worth a try on his second start after wind surgery. He could pick up the pieces to snatch second.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'Sandown is a big test for a novice'

Altior is one of three Henry VIII Novices' Chase winners to go on to land the Arkle since the turn of the millennium and Nicky Henderson is hoping long odds-on favourite Jonbon can pass this first top-level test over fences with flying colours.

Last year's winner Edwardstone completed the Sandown-Cheltenham double, as did the Martin Pipe-trained Contraband in 2005, while Fair Along, Somersby and Impek finished second in the Arkle after scoring in this event.

The Seven Barrows trainer described Jonbon's chase debut performance at Warwick as "excellent" but feels this four-runner contest is no gimme.

Henderson said: "I'm looking forward to it – well as much as you can. He's exciting to watch but on the other hand these sorts of races are minefields.

"We want him to come through this with his colours intact and then we can start planning, but it's a Grade 1, so it's no giveaway.

"His performance at Warwick was excellent. He jumped well, which is important as Sandown is a big test for a novice. To be fair, a lot of the jockeys will tell you Warwick isn't the easiest. Down the back straight the fences come thick and fast and he was very good there. We're really happy with him."

Official ratings suggest Boothill is Jonbon's main danger, with the Harry Fry-trained seven-year-old 5lb shy of the favourite.

Boothill is rated 136 over hurdles but has an 11lb higher mark over fences having won a novice handicap chase at Newton Abbot and a handicap chase at Ascot most recently.

Boothill: produced a career-best performance in a handicap chase at Ascot last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

He recorded a career-best Racing Post Rating of 150 that day, although that is 9lb below the figure given to Jonbon at Warwick and Fry is not underestimating the challenge.

Fry said: "Jonbon is hugely talented but Sandown is a good test of jumping for any horse, so we decided to take our chance on better ground that Boothill goes well on.

"He's been coming up through the ranks in handicap company and is full of confidence on the back of his two wins. We're under no illusions about the task at hand though."
Reporting by Jack Haynes

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Unexpected Party
It's a big ask but there are not many runners and there’s decent prize-money. He's not a bad type and deserves to take his chance; you have to get these novices out and run them.

Jane Williams, trainer of Honneur D’Ajonc
He's a lovely horse and Chester [Williams] picked this race out for him when we saw the small number of entries. It's a good opportunity to get him some more experience.

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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