Jonbon completes third Shloer Chase victory at Cheltenham

The victory took Jonbon's career tally to 21 wins and extended an unusual record of consistency: he has never finished outside the first two in 29 starts. For a horse who has spent much of his career competing at the highest level, that record is arguably as notable as the number of major prizes he has collected.

Jonbon was returning from a spring campaign in which he again proved competitive against the leading two-mile and intermediate-distance chasers. Henderson has increasingly considered whether the longer trip may suit him better as he gets older, but the Shloer offered an opportunity to begin the season over two miles at a course where he has now won three times in this particular race.

The contest was diminished by the late absence of Gidleigh Park, who had attracted considerable market support beforehand. Even so, Jonbon had to concede weight to younger opposition and maintain his rhythm over Cheltenham's fences on ground officially described as good.

Henderson indicated afterwards that the immediate intention was to remain at two miles, while keeping the possibility of stepping up in distance under review later in the campaign. The Clarence House Chase at Ascot could help determine the subsequent programme.

The result also marked an encouraging start to Cobden's association with one of JP McManus's most familiar chasers. Jonbon's previous big-race successes had largely come with Nico de Boinville aboard, and the change of rider attracted interest before the meeting.

Friday's performance was not his most emphatic success, but it demonstrated that his appetite for racing and ability to sustain pressure remain intact. The stronger tests will come later in the winter, when his position among the leading chasers can be assessed against deeper opposition.