Ryanair Chase: Jonbon declared for Fact To File clash

Jonbon will have another crack at Cheltenham Festival glory after he was among nine declared for Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.

The 10-year-old has had three previous Festival outings, being well beaten by Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before meeting with defeat in the Arkle the following year and in last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Trainer Nicky Henderson had hinted Jonbon could sidestep the meeting in favour of heading straight to Aintree next month, with owner JP McManus having hot favourite and defending champion Fact To File to run in the Ryanair.

However, Jonbon will line up alongside the Willie Mullins-trained market leader in a field that also features Banbridge, Croke Park, Heart Wood, Impaire Et Passe, JPR One, Master Chewy and Matata.

Last year’s first and second, the Robcour-owned Bob Olinger and Teahupoo, top 11 runners in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan, Impose Toi and Honesty Policy for McManus, the Emma Lavelle-trained Ma Shantou and Ballyburn for Mullins are other key contenders.

Wodhooh leads the way for Gordon Elliott in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, which had drawn a seven-strong field, while Bambino Fever heads the 22 runners for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

A full field of 20 has been declared for the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase, while both the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle and the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase have their maximums of 24 runners.