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.
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 he was rather workmanlike in winning by five and a half lengths.
Jonbon was pushed out by the bookmakers for the Arkle at Cheltenham next month, with Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo the new favourite.
Jonbon is made to work hard to land the Grade 2 @VirginBet Kingmaker Novices' Chase, with the seven-year-old ultimately retaining his unbeaten status over fences after forging clear under @AidanColeman for @sevenbarrows 🥇 pic.twitter.com/GErZixYDQl
— Warwick Racecourse (@WarwickRaces) February 11, 2023
Coleman wasn't perturbed by the manner of victory, saying afterwards: "I was very happy with him. It was still a good performance and he got the job done."
On Jonbon's shifting right at his fences, he added: "He only did it once and that happens a lot at that third one away from the stands. You’re coming into it on a bend and he was a bit right there.
"It probably looks somewhat worse than it was and when you straighten up you have to get him back on the near lead and get him going forward. The odd time he can shimmy left, he’s just a very clever and accurate and sometimes he does just adjust one way."
