Horse Racing
Jonbon in line for Aintree return, with choice of options
Nicky Henderson is leaning towards allowing Jonbon to join Jango Baie and Lulamba as part of his crack team for the Randox Grand National meeting at Aintree.
All three left the Cheltenham Festival with honourable places on the podium, with Jonbon second in the Ryanair Chase in his quest for an elusive first success at March’s showpiece event.
However, it is a totally different story at Aintree, where the 10-year-old is unbeaten in four starts, and he could be given the chance to enhance his perfect record on Merseyside if coming through scheduled work this week with flying colours.
“The team is coming together for Aintree and Jonbon has a bit of work to do and we’ll then decide where he is going,” said Henderson.
“Sometimes we think we might wait with him, but he could easily come into the picture as he’s very well.
“Jango Baie and Lulamba are the same and are all heading there all being well.”
If Jonbon is given the go-ahead for Liverpool then the next decision facing the master of Seven Barrows will be whether to aim for third successive victory in the two-and-a-half-mile Melling Chase or step up to three miles to join Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie in the Bowl the previous afternoon.
Henderson added: “I wouldn’t rule out moving up to three miles for the Bowl (with Jonbon), but I wouldn’t rule it in either.
“There are options everywhere and as well as the Bowl there is the two-and-a-half-mile race he has won the last two years at Aintree, a two-mile race at Sandown (Celebration Chase) and actually a two-mile-six race (Oaksey Chase) at Sandown as well on the final day of the season.
“He won’t be doing two of them and it will just be one, but he will be working over the next few days and then we’ll decide where we go.
“Everything is possible but you would think the two-and-a-half around Aintree might be the spot. He’s been round there and won twice before and that is probably the likely place.”
