'Controlled aggression' - why De Boinville tactics hold key to Jonbon's bid to break his festival duck in Champion Chase

Don't let the Cheltenham factor put you off Jonbon — that is the message from two of the most successful jockeys in British jump racing history and the man who won nine times on him.

All of Jonbon's three defeats have come at Cheltenham and he has never won a race at the festival.

But the now-retired Aidan Coleman, who was on board for two of those losses but also won four Grade 1s on the horse, said: "It wouldn't really worry me. I'm the horse's biggest fan and while he's not as good round Cheltenham, he's not that bad either, he's still pretty top class.

"Cheltenham has its idiosyncrasies and I was always keener on him on a flat track. But I'd be very surprised if he got beaten, even though I could see Marine Nationale maybe giving him something to worry about."

Two fellow former jockeys believe a change in the way Nico de Boinville rides the tip-top 2m chaser means the fact his record at Prestbury Park is not as good as elsewhere is a statistical curio rather than a pointer to punters.

Tom Scudamore, who rode 1,499 winners in Britain including ten at the Festival, said: "You can talk about his Cheltenham record but he's won round there and at the festival he's been beaten in the Supreme by Constitution Hill — and there's no disgrace in that — and he was beaten in the Arkle by El Fabiolo.

"But back then I used to watch him and think I'd love to ride him with controlled aggression. Nico does that now, you've got to be really positive on him. Sometimes Jonbon can be a little bit long-backed so he finds it hard to fiddle if you're not being positive on him going to his fences, he can be a bit hesitant. Nico has worked that out and reaped the rewards."

Four-time champion Richard Johnson, who won the Champion Chase on Flagship Uberalles, agrees that Jonbon is more effective nowadays thanks to the way he is ridden.

"Nico has done a really good job and deserves credit for it, he lights him up and he goes forward," he said.

"When they were trying to take a lead and ride more of a race on him, he'd come up out of the jockey's hands and dive at one.

"The more aggressively they ride him, the better. He doesn't have to make the running but he's a better horse when ridden positively. JP McManus loves his horses taking their time, creeping through and winning cosily but that doesn't suit this horse."

A star at the height of his powers

He has won no fewer than eight Grade 1 races, appears better than ever this season and looks much the best 2m chaser around so it is about time he took the race that matters.

Jonbon was pulled out on the day of his first crack at the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase last year, due to the malaise that afflicted most of Nicky Henderson’s string that week.

But he hinted at what he might have achieved by landing the Melling Chase at Aintree and Celebration Chase at Sandown later in the spring.

And he has taken his form to an even higher level this season, recording a personal-best Racing Post Rating when taking the Tingle Creek at Sandown by eight lengths and again in landing the Clarence House at Ascot by six and a half.

Jonbon: bidding to break festival duckCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

A thriving nine-year-old at the height of his powers and seemingly still on the up is quite something to have on your side when you are attempting to become the most successful trainer in the history of the race.

Success today would be a seventh for Henderson, after Remittance Man, Finian’s Rainbow, Sprinter Sacre and Altior, the last two twice each. That would give him the outright record, ahead of Tom Dreaper and Paul Nicholls.

"He deserves it," the trainer said. "His whole preparation has gone well and we're where we think he needs to be.

"I can't believe he doesn't like Cheltenham, he has won there before."

Henderson agrees that Jonbon has become more of the finished article and said: "He's very sensible in races now and quite simple. A few years ago you had to handle him with kid gloves but he's got a lot better."

Supreme challenge for Nationale

It would be hugely emotional but Marine Nationale looked on his way to becoming a star in the making when scoring a brilliant success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2023 and he could show he has finally arrived today.

His journey has not been smooth since he triumphed here two years ago under Michael O’Sullivan, the jockey who suffered fatal injuries in a fall at Thurles last month and had this year’s Supreme run in his memory.

He was restricted to just two outings in his first season as a chaser, not seen out again after trailing in fifth of sixth in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.

But Marine Nationale has gradually found his feet this term, improving significantly with each outing and running a fine second when returned to Leopardstown for the Dublin Chase last month.

Marine Nationale: Supreme winner in 2023Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He was the only one to make any impression on front runner Solness from off the pace that day and recorded comfortably his best RPR.

Ahead of his stiffest test yet over fences, his trainer Barry Connell said: “He's a course and distance winner on the Old course and he has a great temperament which will stand to him. He's basically still a novice over fences and has been improving 10lb every run over fences this season. He did all the donkey work chasing Solness last time and I think he'll come on for it, while drying ground will be a help."

Energumene does not have to prove he is up to winning a Champion Chase, having taken the prize in 2022 and 2023.

But he does have to show he still has what it takes, having missed the whole of last season.

The 11-year-old was being challenged when left clear at the last fence on his return from 593 days off in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork and was put firmly in his place by an authoritative Jonbon in the Clarence House at Ascot.

He is out to emulate Badsworth Boy, the only previous three-time Queen Mother winner.

What they say

Henry De Bromhead, trainer of Captain Guinness and Quilixios
Captain Guinness won the race last year and tends to come alive when he gets to Cheltenham. The ground and the track will suit so hopefully he can bounce back to the form of last year. Quilixios was very good at Naas earlier in the season and ran really well behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek. He seems in great form.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Found A Fifty
Forget his last run, he wasn't right at all. He's actually really impressed me in his work leading into this week and he seems to be at the top of his game. He ran a cracker in last year's Arkle and that run puts him in the mix here. Don't be surprised if he's bang there at the second-last.

Evan Williams, trainer of Libberty Hunter
Would he better off in handicap company? He's progressed and deserves to have a crack at a Grade 1. He's a very good horse and the owners are sporting, they took the view he deserves to run and the race deserves as much support as it can get.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Solness
He's in good form since Leopardstown and is very fit and well. Conditions and the trip should suit him and we're looking forward to it.

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