Ascot Chase next up for Clarence House hero Jonbon

Jonbon could step back up in trip in next month’s Betfair Ascot Chase, with Nicky Henderson also eyeing up a possible tilt at the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The JP McManus-owned ten-year-old returned to winning ways when landing back-to-back runnings of the Clarence House Chase at Ascot at the weekend, the 11th Grade 1 of his glittering career.

Jonbon is in line to bid for a 12th success at the highest level and return to the Berkshire track for the 2m5f Ascot Chase on February 14. It will be the furthest he has contested under rules, however he has won the Grade 1 Melling Chase over 2m4f twice, and triumphed in a point-to-point over three miles in November 2020.

Henderson could then let Jonbon bid for a first Cheltenham Festival win over the longer trip of the Ryanair Chase, instead of running in the Champion Chase again.

Speaking on Sunday, the trainer said: “He was fine this morning and trotted up great, and Ascot is where we’re aiming for next. I’ve discussed it with JP and the Ascot Chase is where we’ll try to go. It’s only a month away and that is quite quick after a hard race like yesterday, but if he says he’s okay we’re thinking Ascot.

“He’s done Cheltenham, Aintree and Sandown in the past, so he does back up quite well. If he’s not back for Ascot then I would think he’d probably go straight for the Ryanair.”