Jonbon wins Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown to emulate Kauto Star
Jonbon became the first winner of back-to-back races since the great Kauto Star 18 years ago when he won the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
It was the eighth win in the premier class for Nicky Henderson’s Chaser (ridden by Nico de Boinville).
The 8-13 favorite made some jumping errors but still held off a convincing eight-stroke winner from Qualicios in wet and windy conditions
“What a horse. It’s great, he’s really discovering a lot. It’s hard work there, it’s tiring,” de Bonville said.
With both Edward Stone and Master Chewy down, Jonbon was down to three opponents, whom he dispatched with ease.
Jonbon’s odds on winning the Queen Mother’s Champion Chase at March’s Cheltenham Festival have been reduced from 7-2 to 5-2.
It was his 16th victory in 19 games, taking his career winnings past the £1 million mark.
“He was just a real terrier,” said Henderson, who hoped the wound on the horse’s leg was not serious.
Cato Star Two Tingle Creek Chase wins were part of a record-breaking career that included five King George VI Chase wins.
The race at Sandown went ahead after two inspections despite high winds due to weather conditions. Storm Dara, But Saturday’s meetings in Aintree, Chepstow and Wolverhampton were cancelled.
Aintree was due to stage the Becher Chase at the National Barrier.
