Aintree racecourse and its household names like Becher’s Brook and The Chair were a true test… but sadly not anymore
IT says much about competition at jump racing’s top end that in 18 races Jonbon has never faced a double-digit field.
Rather oddly, I suspect Nicky Henderson’s class act — who cost £570,000 at Goffs in 2020 — would benefit from more rivals as what he badly needs is a strongly-run two miles.
As a result, more often than not, Jonbon makes his own running, but that’s something he might not have to do in this afternoon’s Tingle Creek (3.00).
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The Sandown Grade 1 speed test will see Jonbon go for his second consecutive win in the race. The last horse to do that was the mighty Kauto Star in 2005-6.
On paper it will be a major shock if last season’s Grade 1 Aintree and Sandown hero is defeated.
But a few have turned up to have a crack at Henderson’s chaser — even though Jonbon has a handy 7lb and more in hand of his eight rivals.
They include Boothill and Edwardstone, who were put firmly in their place by Jonbon at Cheltenham last time.
More interesting are JPR One and Henry De Bromhead’s Irish raider Quilixios.
JPR One was third to Le Patron in today’s other Grade 1 — the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase — this time last year.
Joe Tizzard’s runner returned this term with a solid beating of Djelo in the Haldon Gold Cup.
Quilixios is even more of a threat to Jonbon.
De Bromhead’s raider, with sparkling Darragh O’Keeffe in the plate, won the 2021 Triumph Hurdle and wasn’t unfancied when eighth in this year’s Arkle. He lost many lengths at the start that day.
Cheveley Park Stud’s gelding kicked off this season’s campaign with a Grade 3 success at Naas and defeated top-class Marine Nationale.
Visually it looked a smart run by Quilixios but we will know today what that form is worth.
That all said, Jonbon is unbeaten in four starts at Sandown, including a Tingle Creek and Henry VIII.
If he goes in they may need to name a race after him!
As for the Henry VIII, the hope is always that those involved might make up into top-class two-mile chasers of the future.
That may well be the case this afternoon, with the recent impressive Cheltenham winner L’Eau Du Sud (1.50) back for more for the Dan and Harry Skelton team.
L’Eau Du Sud chased home Absurde in the County Hurdle in March but he could well be an even better chaser judged on how he has jumped in two starts. He’s exciting and blew me away.
The betting will no doubt suggest victory will be simple but, on paper, there is a bit more to this than meets the eye.
Down Memory Lane challenges for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh and has only been beaten once in four starts. He hacked up at Navan.
Rubaud is in the mix for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He was the best of these over hurdles but he wouldn’t want any more rain.
Many eyes will also turn to Aintree today on ITV, and usually everyone would be excited to see horses flying over the Grand National fences in the Becher Chase.
However, the simple truth is the Becher will be no test at all.
Of course no one wants horses to fall, but the whole point of the big Aintree obstacles was about presenting a test not seen anywhere else in the sport.
That’s not the case anymore. Indeed, only two horses have fallen over the Grand National fences this year.
Experience of household names like Becher’s Brook and The Chair is worth nothing anymore.
Far from the days when it was the toughest track in the land to jump round, Aintree is now among the easiest.
That said, I suspect King Turgeon (2.07) a ready winner of the Grand Sefton, will take all the beating once again.
David Pipe’s challenger is up 8lb over a longer trip but his back form suggests he stays well and is an improving young horse who is still ahead of the handicapper.
As for my nap of the day it’s Altobelli (2.25) in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Sandown.
Willmount must prove he is as good as he once was so I’m with Harry Fry’s Altobelli who looks on a nice mark.
Let’s hope for a tingle from Altobelli. Good luck and Yeeehaaa!
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