Jonbon stays unbeaten over fences in Kingmaker at Warwick

Adam Morgan
February 11, 2023 3:19 pm

But bookmakers make El Fabiolo the new Arkle favourite.

Jonbon was replaced as Arkle favourite, despite maintaining his unbeaten record over fences in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Sent off at 1-16 to beat just one rival – Dan Skelton’s Calico – following the morning withdrawal of two others, his trademark zip appeared to be missing at times.

Aidan Coleman sent Nicky Henderson’s charge into an early lead and while he was doing things easily enough, he was not getting away from Calico.

A win – but that doesn’t tell half the story!
That didn’t go according to plan for Jonbon who looked in big trouble in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase @WarwickRaces, with his rival Calico trading at a low of 1.34 in running!
That’s not the Jonbon we thought he was… pic.twitter.com/58bWKK2Jz1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 11, 2023

Halfway down the back straight Harry Skelton sensed an opportunity and sent Calico up Jonbon’s inside, met the next fence on a perfect stride and soon found himself three lengths clear.

It took Jonbon a couple of fences to realise he had a race on his hands and Coleman was happy to challenge around Calico’s outside on the final bend.

Once in front the race was never in doubt, but was rather workmanlike in winning by five and a half lengths.

He was pushed out by the bookmakers for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month, with Betfair going 2-1 from 11-8 and making Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo their 11-10 favourite. Coral make El Fabiolo their 5-4 favourite from 7-4, with Jonbon out to 13-8 from even money.