landed the 10th Grade One of his career as he safely retained his My Pension Expert Melling Chase crown at
.
Nicky Henderson’s 4-6 favourite had come unstuck when expected to take the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, having to battle on for a gallant second after a bad mistake compounded problems at the start.
Only four went to post for this two-and-a-half-mile assignment and it did not take Nico de Boinville long before he turned up the heat in front.
Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo was regarded his key rival, but when he came to grief Jonbon was left to see off Dan Skelton’s Protektorat to come out on top, which he duly did, by three and a quarter lengths.
More to follow...