'He had to fight and he jolly did' - Jonbon toughs it out to claim first Grade 1

Friday: Top Novices' Hurdle, Aintree

Even the most mean-spirited of doubters were forced into a silent appreciation of Jonbon as, head bowed in battle, he came steaming up the Aintree straight to land an almighty smack to the face of anyone who ever had the temerity to question his willingness for a fight.

This was definitive stuff. The most telling summation of the performance came from Aidan Coleman when, in a mixture of appreciation for the horse and bewilderment that Nicky Henderson's future star had to answer any questions about his resolution in the first place, said: "I knew he wasn't going to let me down."

And that he didn't. If by any chance there was a semblance of the dream turning into a foggy memory for Jonbon after he was put firmly in his place by Constitution Hill at Cheltenham, he proved himself a top-notch prospect in his own right and once again reminded us what a talent the Supreme winner is. And Henderson agrees.

"It's not a consolation prize, but he deserves it," Henderson said of Jonbon's first Grade 1. "He's done nothing wrong all year, except for bumping into an extraordinary horse who, luckily, lives in the same place. From my point of view, it was less painful [defeat in the Supreme] than it was for the Jonbon team.

"It's lovely to have two horses like that and it's very exciting. You couldn't have better. You won't see a better race than that either."

Trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Aidan Coleman give Jonbon a pat after his brave victoryCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

El Fabiolo played his role in that belting finish. It may seem like damning with faint praise to those who aren't versed when it comes to Tramore form but, the fact that Willie Mullins said El Fabiolo is right up there with the best horses he's brought to that track – think Penhill, Airlie Beach, Laurina and Saint Roi – you know we're dealing with a serious horse.

The fact that just a neck separated the front two and they pulled a further 19 lengths clear of the remainder would strengthen that argument.

Henderson added: "The second horse is very good and they pulled a long, long way clear. He hasn't been in many battles because he's had it fairly easy up until now, and that was the first time he's really had to put his head down and fight – and he jolly did. It's the first time he's had a real fight."

Watch Jonbon win a thriller against El Fabiolo

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