Henderson confirms Jonbon ‘all systems go’ ahead of Clarence House Chase clash with Energumene
Nicky Henderson confirmed that it’s “all systems go” for Jonbon as he prepares for Saturday’s Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
The JP McManus owned nine-year-old boasts 16 victories from 19 races, including eight at the highest level.
He has never finished worse than second in a race and the legendary Lambourn trainer feels he is now getting the credit he deserves.
“We’re looking forward to it and it’s all systems go,” Henderson said.
“In the Tingle Creek the other day the crowd really got behind him, which is nice. He deserves it.
“He’s been playing at the top table for quite a while now, he used to be the young buck coming in.
“He has had the one run round Ascot when he won the Kennel Gate.
“I don’t think left or right makes any difference to him.
“He loves Sandown which is right-handed with a fair few undulations in it so I can’t see why Ascot wouldn’t be suitable.
“I would hope he would enjoy it.”
Following a 593 day layoff, dual Champion Chaser Energumene made his long awaited return to the track with an impressive success in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December.
Willie Mullins’ 11-year-old has also been entered for the Clarence House Chase after finishing second in 2022 and third in 2023.
Henderson is excited for another clash between two heavyweights of the two-mile chase division.
“This could be a big battle and it’s great for the game,” he said.
“Just like over Christmas, high-class horses taking on high-class horses.
“I hope it’s a race that people can look forward to, it should get pretty star billing.
“Energumene was impressive on his comeback run a few weeks ago, so it looks as if we’re going to have a re-do, but it will be Jonbon who’s going to have to do battle with him.
“The interesting thing there is that Jonbon’s very happy up there [with the pace], they could be going a right good gallop, it could be an attacking game!
“This could be brewing up for another historic renewal.”
Henderson is the leading trainer in the race’s history, having trained six winners since it was first run in 1989.
That includes three winners since it became a Grade 1 race in 2008, with Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Shishkin all winning the race throughout their illustrious careers.
“We’ve been very lucky, these two-milers have joined in one after the other, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Shishkin and then Jonbon, they’ve slotted in nicely,” he reflected.
“You wouldn’t have wanted them all at the same time… well, you wouldn’t have minded!
“We’re just very lucky that they came into our lives.
“They all had their own temperaments. Shishkin had his own quirks, he was a character, we loved him.
“Altior was probably the most straight-forward, and Sprinter was just something else.
“In the first part of his career, he was virtually unbeatable, he was a brilliant horse.”
Shishkin stayed on to beat Energumene in the final strides of the 2022 renewal at Ascot.
“That was one of the great races of all-time, it was billed as that and it lived up to that, which was terrific,” he said.
Well, it was terrific for us, I don’t think Willie enjoyed it as much as we did!
“It was going their way and then it came back to go our way at the end.”
Other entries for Saturday’s £175,000 feature contest include Alan King’s three-time Grade 1 winner Edwardstone, three-time Ascot winner Boothill, Libberty Hunter and Unexpected Party.