Jonbon confirmed his class because the main horse of the two-mile chasing division, beating Energumene by six and a half lengths to win the Clarence Home Chase at Ascot.
It was a ninth Grade One success for the 8-13 favorite, educated by Nicky Henderson, and adopted December’s historic victory in the Tingle Creek.
This newest win will solely strengthen Jonbon’s case to be favorite for the Queen Mom Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Willie Mullins’ Energumene was undone within the Clarence Home by Jonbon’s stablemate Shishkin in 2022, whereas Jonbon fell to a shock defeat by Elixir De Nutz final 12 months when the race was moved to Cheltenham.
Jockey Nico de Boinville ensured there can be no repeat of that loss, permitting the nine-year-old to make the working all through earlier than pulling away from his foremost rival after the penultimate fence.
“What a horse,” Henderson advised ITV Sport. “He was very contemporary and almost an excessive amount of on it. We weren’t getting down to make the working however he [De Boinville] did not have a lot choice after [Jonbon] went out of the gate and was actually eager for it.
“Nico set off with just one intention, it was a courageous technique to do and the correct technique to do it. The horse loves it.”
Energumene got here in second at 9-4, whereas Edwardstone was third within the four-horse race, forward of Boothill.
