Jonbon on target for Tingle Creek showdown despite Peterborough entry

Jonbon is on course to bid for a Betfair Tingle Creek Chase hat-trick on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s stalwart also holds an entry in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Sunday, but at this stage owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry has confirmed Sandown is still the plan.

In six races at the Esher venue Jonbon has won five, meeting with his sole defeat at the hands of the Willie Mulllins-trained Il Etait Temps – who will reoppose this weekend – in the Celebration Chase at the end of last season, having already run at Cheltenham and Aintree.

He was well beaten on his return to action by L’Eau Du Sud – another of his potential Sandown rivals – in the Shloer Chase, but is expected to improve for that Cheltenham outing.

“He will run in the Tingle Creek and Nicky is very happy with him,” said Berry.

“The ground was testing enough the last day, which wouldn’t play to his strengths, but having said that he got well beaten. Nicky’s horses were taking a run so you’d be hoping he’d come on a nice bit.

“It is an ideal race for him and hopefully the ground doesn’t get too testing. He is going there in good form.”