'He's doing everything right' - Jonbon foot-perfect in Henry VIII romp

Saturday: Sandown

Those who have backed Jonbon for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival need not worry.

Nicky Henderson confirmed after Jonbon's easy victory in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday that he will stick to two miles this season.

But it was a performance that didn't just have Henderson purring over what seemed like his latest cab off the two-miling rank, following the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin, but also had him dreaming of Jonbon getting further.

"He's a genuine two-miler at the moment, but I'd love to find out how far he can stay," said the six-time champion trainer, before adding: "Don't worry, we're not going anywhere else at the moment – we'll stay at two miles for now because he's so quick. He's doing everything right so far."

If Jonbon were to land the Arkle in March it would be a first win in the race for his owner JP McManus, who added: "I've never won the Arkle, it's just never happened. He has the size and scope and does it so effortlessly. He enjoys jumping and I thought chasing would be his game. So far, so good."

Jonbon was bold when he needed to be and clever when it was called for, and he maintained his perfect record over fences by powering to an easy eight-length success from Boothill. Coral, Paddy Power and Betfair reacted by cutting Jonbon to 7-4 (from 2-1) for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Winning rider Aidan Coleman added: "It's great for a Grade 1 to go as smooth as it did and, as always, he was a pleasure. When I heard Boothill at the back of the second-last, I just gave Jonbon a squeeze and he went down and winged the last and it was race over then.

"There was no need for alarm and I was very happy with him. He's here to race and is precocious by nature. He's always been a pleasure and is a very easy ride."

Tolworth target

When comparisons are being made with Sire De Grugy and Goshen, it is a fair assumption to say the Moore family think quite a bit of Authorised Speed, who overcame a bad blunder at the last to take his unbeaten record over jumps to two in the 2m novice hurdle.

The best of the British when fifth in last season's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, the five-year-old followed up last month's easy success on his debut over hurdles at Lingfield when defeating newcomer Immortal by six and a half lengths under a penalty.

There were shades of stablemate Goshen's last-hurdle catastrophe in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle, but rider Jamie Moore managed to stay in the saddle on this occasion and the pair were well on top at the finish.

"He made the same mistake at the same hurdle first time around and he probably took his eye off it both times with so much going on up the home straight," said the winning rider.

"It's soft ground, but I think he needs wet, heavy ground. He has a lot of ability and a race like the Tolworth would suit him."

Jamie Moore sits tight as Authorised Speed blunders at the last before running out an impressive winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

With winning trainer Gary Moore stuck in traffic, it was left to youngest son Josh to sing Authorised Speed's praises and he did not take much encouragement.

"I rode him to finish fifth in the Champion Bumper and I said then I thought he was a proper horse," said Moore. "He finds everything so easy and doesn't get stressed.

"When Jamie rode him at Lingfield he said it's the best feel he's had off one since Goshen and Sire De Grugy, and he could be on that wavelength, I hope.

"He's a proper soft-ground horse and hopefully he can come back here for the Tolworth – that would be the target at the moment."

All systems go for the Mares' Hurdle

Former top jockey Noel Fehily was dreaming of a second Cheltenham Festival success for Love Envoi, after last season's Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner lumped a big weight to success on her seasonal reappearance in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Love Envoi carries the colours of Fehily's successful racing syndicate and celebrations among the members promised to go long into the night after a hard-fought three-quarter length success over Playful Saint.

"There's a great bunch of people involved in this mare and we're very lucky to have her," said Fehily. "I thought she'd struggle today giving the weight away to the boys but she doesn't know when she's beat."

The winner was cut to 11-2 (from 8) with Paddy Power for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, with a return trip to Sandown pencilled in before that.

Fehily added: "The end goal is the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham but she'll come back to Sandown on January 7 for a Listed race for mares. She just keeps on improving."

New Welsh National favourite as Venetia Williams completes 5,576-1 four-timer

Victory for 11-2 shot Quick Wave in the Winners Wear Cavani Menswear London National completed an across-the-card 5,576-1 four-timer at Sandown, Aintree and Chepstow for a "delighted" Venetia Williams.

In doing so the nine-year-old mare shook up the Coral Welsh Grand National betting, rocketing to the head of the market after a heavily-eased down four-length success.

Williams said: "It's her first time over this trip but it looked like she would want these trips. She won over three and a quarter miles at Ludlow and wasn't stopping that day, plus I think the tempo of these races is more to her liking.

"She's not been the easiest to train, but she's the age she is now and is stronger so hopefully it's easier for her now. The Welsh Grand National would be a possibility for her, but we'll see how she is before making a decision closer to the time."

Results, replays and analysis

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