Jonbon puts ace Aintree record on the line in Melling Chase - with old rival El Fabiolo in opposition

All four of Jonbon's defeats have been at Cheltenham but it is a different matter at Aintree, where he has a perfect 3-3 record in Grade 1s at this meeting.

A major mistake down the back straight put paid to his chance in the Queen Mother Champion Chase so is it the case that he is happier jumping around the flatter track at Liverpool?

Nicky Henderson believes the Champion Chase was lost not when Jonbon made his error but at the start, and feels the nine-time Grade 1 winner can gain redemption at a track where he "jumps well".

The first of his top-level victories came at this meeting in 2022 when beating El Fabiolo in the Top Novices' Hurdle and that opponent takes him on again.

The tape at the standing start of the Champion Chase struck Jonbon in the face as it was lowered and the jockey (Nico de Boinville) and trainer of the 17-time winner felt it immediately put him off his game. He trailed the field and totally blew his chance with his mistake before rallying gamely to finish second, but still 18 lengths behind Marine Nationale.

Henderson said: "He was out of it at the start in the Champion Chase, it completely did him in. He's done very well at Aintree and he jumps well around there. Let's hope he does it again as he's in good form."

Just 23 days have passed since that effort but Henderson said: "He's had some quick turnarounds before, like the Shloer to the Tingle Creek and from Aintree to the Celebration Chase. This isn't that quick but he didn't have an easy race at Cheltenham. He's come back very well though and we're very happy with him."

Fitzgerald: Jonbon never looked happy at any stage at Cheltenham

Before his high-profile defeat Jonbon had jumped 39 fences this season when winning at Cheltenham, Sandown at Ascot, making only three minor errors, and Grand National-winning jockey and ITV pundit Mick Fitzgerald accepts the circumstances of the Champion Chase could have made him more vulnerable to a mistake.

Fitzgerald said: "Horses can make a mistake anywhere. I thought the circumstances of the Champion Chase and what happened at the start put him on the back foot. He never looked happy at any stage of the race. 

"Was the mistake always going to happen? I don't know, but I do know he never looked comfortable. He was too far back and always chasing. I think that was the problem."

Jonbon: unbeaten in three starts at AintreeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Leading Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway suggests Jonbon's style is best suited to the track configuration at Aintree rather than Cheltenham.

Rodway said: "He's generally a sound jumper, but something about Cheltenham seems to catch him out. 

"It's up hill and down dale there, which isn't ideal for a horse with a long stride like Jonbon. Horses who cover as much ground as he does tend to be best suited by galloping tracks with a long straight, which don't require them to break their stride, and that's the reason he is a far better horse at Aintree. It's a similar story at Sandown, where he can get horses out of their comfort zone down the long back straight."

El Fabiolo bids to prove he is back

The scores stand at 2-1 in favour of Jonbon over El Fabiolo but the Willie Mullins-trained chaser arrives slightly fresher after missing Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old has not won since last season's Dublin Racing Festival, suffering notable defeats including when pulled up in the Champion Chase and comfortably beaten by Jonbon in the Celebration Chase.

El Fabiolo: beaten in both starts this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He fell on his return at Leopardstown in February and suffered a shock defeat at Navan when sent off at 4-11 in the Webster Cup Chase. The class is there but he has a bit to prove.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Protektorat
He always runs his race and we're very proud of him. There aren't many runners but it's a high quality race. He was third in it last year, he couldn't get the better of Jonbon, but we'll be trying again to get the better of him and El Fabiolo.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Matata
He's been kept fresh for it and I hope there will be some improvement for the step up in trip. He's been crying out to go further. Being realistic it'll be very hard to win with Jonbon in there but we'll have a go. The ground should be fine for him, he's very versatile, and hopefully he'll run well.

Racing Post+ subscribers can read Robbie Wilders' premium analysis here:

Odds-on about Jonbon in the Melling Chase? It's a no from me - and his old rival looks the main danger 

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