Jonbon was not for beating as he overcame pre-race drama to grind out a famous victory in the BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Nicky Henderson's star chaser was due to be partnered for the first time by owner JP McManus’ soon-to-be retained rider Harry Cobden, but a fall in an earlier race saw him dramatically miss out and it was James Bowen who was called up to deputise.
Dan Skelton’s remarkable bargain-buy Thistle Ask made the running at a fast pace, with the Irish raider and 2-5 favourite Il Etait Temps bringing up the rear as Jonbon travelled in mid division.
It was Jonbon and the Thistle Ask who did battle at the business end, with Il Etait Temps suffering what looked a tired fall, and Jonbon rallying to edge into the lead for an eventual three-length win at 6-1 from Thistle Ask.
Jonbon received rapturous applause on his return to the winner’s enclosure and there were huge cheers as the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps got to his feet after being treated on the course.
Of course it's him! 😎
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) January 17, 2026
JONBON does it again, going back-to-back in the @BetMGMUK Clarence House Chase with @james_bowen_ on board for @sevenbarrows.
Il Etait Temps got up after his fall at the second last and walked into the horse ambulance having been winded. pic.twitter.com/Q9RwNT76YV
"It was an end-to-end gallop, it seemed to test them all," Henderson said afterwards. "James thought he was beaten three out, but he keeps going.
"He probably never changes gears, he was a very fast horse and now he's not as fast as he was, but the stamina kicks in. He’s on older legs than those other guys, but he’s brave."
Thoughts inevitably now turn to the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where Jonbon has yet to be successful, despite what is now a CV adorned by 11 Grade Ones.
"That’s up for grabs, isn’t it?" Henderson added.
"I just think he’s been unlucky every time he’s been to Cheltenham and he has won there twice, he’s won the Shloer twice – not impressively, I admit, but that has always been his first run of the year.
"He deserves to run at Cheltenham, I’d love to be trying him over further but invariably things have just gone wrong."
