Nicky Henderson had early doubts about Jonbon but Britain's best chaser has become a brilliant bargain

It was hard to look at him and not wonder how this was possible. Britain's best chaser was attempting to maintain a remarkable winning streak against a fearsome new Irish rival, and yet here he was, Jonbon's groom, Robin Land, walking alongside Jonbon without a coat on his back.

With just a blue sweater over his shirt, Land matched strides with Jonbon as the devoted couple made their way around Ascot's huge pre-parade ring. At no point did Land ever appear to stop talking or whistling to a remarkable chaser who tackled his first BetMGM Clarence House Chase, having never lost a race away from Cheltenham. A few minutes later, after Jonbon had posted his 17th career victory under rules and the ninth at Grade 1 level, the noise made around Ascot's paddock was many decibels louder than a whistle.

Presumably, the Star Sports punter who staked £36,000 when Jonbon was 4-6 at lunchtime was among those cheering. How, though, could you not make some noise in honour of a horse whose ability and consistency would make him a truly worthy Champion Chase winner? With one firm now offering just evens about that happening, Jonbon's claims are clear, particularly as this could well have been a personal-best performance. Energumene may not be the force of old, but Jonbon thrashed him, in the process maintaining this winter's theme of Nicky Henderson thwarting Willie Mullins in high-profile head-to-heads.