Henderson eyeing Ascot Chase for Jonbon

Nicky Henderson has raised the Ascot Chase as a likely next port of call for Jonbon, following his successful defence of the Clarence House Chase on Saturday.

Having been beaten in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and the Tingle Creek at Sandown on his first two starts of the season, the JP McManus-owned 10-year-old proved he is no back number with a resurgent performance in Berkshire, knuckling down under James Bowen to beat the improving Thistle Ask by three lengths.

With Jonbon holding Cheltenham Festival entries in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Henderson was tight-lipped regarding future plans in the immediate aftermath, but is now eyeing a return to a longer trip back at Ascot on February 14.

Henderson said: “The Ascot Chase is where we’re aiming for next. I was adamant that he wanted further and said to JP staying at two miles was mad, but fair play to him for making that call and getting it right.

“Things went right and Il Etait Temps was never going to beat us yesterday and I’m glad he’s OK, but well done JP and it was definitely worth going there.

“Three out James thought we were in trouble as they had gone very hard, but stamina was one thing we have plenty of. Speed we used to have and he’s not as quick as he was, but from two out his stamina and bravery started to kick in and it was terrific.”

He went on: “I’ve had the discussion with JP and Ascot is where we’ll try to go and it’s only a month away, which could be tight after a hard race like that. But if he says he is all right then we’re thinking Ascot.

“It would then be quick to Cheltenham so do you then skip that? I don’t know and we’ll just have to see how he is. Paddy (Murphy, work rider) will be able to tell me and we’ll all be on Jonbon watch and he will tell us what we do next.

“If he’s not back for the Ascot Chase, you can take it he will probably go straight to the Ryanair you would think.”