Jonbon could also be seen by many as a banker within the Champion Chase this 12 months, however Paddy Brennan isn’t so positive and believes there’s one outsider who may make life troublesome for the favorite at Cheltenham.
Nicky Henderson’s star made it 17 wins from 20 begins earlier this month with a surprising victory over twin Champion Chase hero Energumene within the Clarence Home at Ascot.
That cemented Jonbon on the high of the betting for the Wednesday characteristic on the Cheltenham Competition, a race he missed final 12 months as Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard was hit by sickness.
Jockey Nico de Boinville dominated from the entrance within the four-runner contest at Ascot, however his former weighing-room rival Brennan thinks issues will likely be harder in March.
Talking on the Unbridled podcast, Brennan stated: “I take a look at Jonbon and I assumed it was a superb trip in a race like that with 4 runners the place he is ready to dictate.
“Come the Champion Chase, it will not be as straightforward for him. If he is ever beatable, it is going to be that day.
“With the likes of Matata and Il Est Francais, it’ll be a distinct ball sport.
Matata in profitable motion on the Winter Million competition at Windsor
“I was impressed with Matata [at Windsor] and someone like him in the Champion Chase could be something that Jonbon doesn’t need.
“While you take a look at Jonbon’s race at Cheltenham when he obtained beat, he is obtained to go and show himself. Even when he received the Shloer, he did not look unbeatable.”
Brennan’s one to follow…
Brennan also highlighted another horse for the tracker from a yard he knows very well – Fergal O’Brien’s.
Siog Geal looks like a talented young mare, finishing strongly behind one of Brennan’s previous eyecatchers Jubilee Alpha at the Winter Million meeting.
Jubilee Alpha heads to victory at Windsor with eyecatcher Siog Geal again in fourth
“Sometimes you’ve got to pick horses out for the future and Siog Geal looks like one,” Brennan stated.
“A lot was against her – ground and trip – at Windsor but in handicaps moving forward, something like the EBF Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Final at Newbury, she’d be one to stay on the right side of.
“I cherished the way in which she hit the road in a really aggressive race.”
On Jubilee Alpha, Brennan said: “She was good at Windsor however, as Paul Nicholls stated, that was simply 20 days after Taunton.
“She’s got a lovely bit of time now before Cheltenham and she’s definitely got a massive chance in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
“I really like the way in which she goes about it and jumps. Most of all, she’ll come up that Cheltenham hill.”
