Spectacular Jonbon leaves Energumene trailing - now Henderson is dreaming of Champion Chase to cement star's legacy

It might not have produced the same sort of spectacle as the great Clarence House Chase of 2022 but for very different reasons Jonbon ensured this year's contest was every bit as spectacular. 

Whereas former stablemate Shishkin left it later than late to mow down Energumene three years ago, Jonbon and Nico de Bonville went about putting the same rival to the sword from the off.

On his first try over Ascot's fences, Jonbon wasted little time becoming acquainted with the royal racecourse's stiff birch obstacles, and turning away from the stands for the first time the revs were already up and the clash of two genuine titans of the two-mile chase division was on.

Jonbon was the more exuberant at his fences, but that was not enough to shake off the attention of two-time Champion Chase winner Energumene, who was still close enough if good enough by the time they turned for home. 

At the age of 11, Energumene was trying to give two years to Jonbon and from the back of the second-last it was clear he did not have the legs to match a rival who has been beaten just three times in 20 starts under rules. 

Yet this was not so much about Energumene's failings and more an exhibition of the sheer brilliance Jonbon possesses, something he highlighted in spectacular fashion with the way he stood back from the last fence and then let fly. From there he swept like a tsunami to the line, putting six and a half lengths between himself and a rival who had only ever been beaten twice in 13 starts over fences going into Ascot. And anyone who tracked Jonbon after the line will have seen he wasn't stopping in a hurry either. 

Jonbon's jumping was particularly impressive at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

"What a performance," said winning trainer Nicky Henderson, happy to say Jonbon had put in a career-best effort. "Nico set off with only one intention to be honest. It was a brave way to do it but it was the right way and this horse loves it. He was a bit too fresh but that's the way he wants to be.

"It was two heavyweights fighting for a title and it was a good, clean fight. Jonbon is still quite young and he's so professional now. He can dance at a fence and is very quick in and out when he's meeting one short, but what I loved was the way he quickened up going to the last. 

"He'd fought off the enemy but still wanted to go and make a good show of it. What he did from the second-last to the line was the most impressive thing." 

More on the Clarence House Chase:

• Energumene camp retain faith that Jonbon can be toppled at Cheltenham after Clarence House 'that didn't suit us' 
• Who can lay a glove on Jonbon in the Champion Chase?

While it was a career-defining performance in its own right from Jonbon, the Champion Chase is the race that will cement his legacy as an all-time great in the two-mile division. 

Bookmakers rate him no bigger than 11-8 to succeed in March's championship where Energumene's Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Gaelic Warrior appears his biggest rival and is second in the market at 7-2. 

"He probably does deserve a Champion Chase to be fair," said Henderson. "He had to miss it last year and you can't blame him for that, but that's the only race that's missing.

"He's won nine Grade 1s now and that takes a bit of doing in any horse's language, so we have to appreciate him and I think he's got to be recognised as one of the best we've had for a long time. Possibly we have to win a Champion Chase to earn the same recognition as a Sprinter Sacre or Altior and let's hope he can."

Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville celebrate winning the Clarence House ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

The performance certainly left an impression on De Boinvile, who once again showed an unrivalled temperament on the biggest stage but didn't hold back when it came to his assessment. 

"He's a horse of a lifetime," said De Boinville, former partner of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin. “I certainly think he's a worthy favourite for the Champion Chase, but we have just got to get there now as we all know what can happen in a short space of time. Fingers crossed he remains sound and healthy.” 

Reliving an enthralling contest, he added: "I was trying to keep a lid on him more than anything else. He answered every call jumping-wise and was very quick with his feet going down the hill. I felt I was only doing a half speed, but I think we were trapping along really. 

"From the last to the line the ground rises and that's where Shishkin caught Energumene in 2022 and I didn't want that to happen. It was a great jump at the last but that was down to him, not me!" 

Latest Champion Chase betting

William Hill (NRNB): 5-4 Jonbon, 11-4 Gaelic Warrior, 6 Energumene, El Fabiolo, Il Est Francais, 7 Banbridge, 14 Marine Nationale, Djelo, 20 bar.

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Energumene camp retain faith that Jonbon can be toppled at Cheltenham after Clarence House 'that didn't suit us' 

Narrow escape for jockey jogging on course during dramatic race at Market Rasen 

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