Henderson on new Cobden mount Jonbon: "he's quite a bit more forward this year"

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Nicky Henderson believes that Jonbon is fitter this year ahead of his first run under new jockey Harry Cobden in Friday's Shloer Chase at Cheltenham. 

The 12-time Grade One winner was well held behind L'Eau Du Sud in last year's renewal of the two-mile contest, but the Seven Barrows handler is confident that the now-10-year-old is in good shape ahead of his usual return to action - should he win, he would become the first three-time winner of the Grade Two contest. 

Henderson told a Jockey Club video call: "I would like to think he's quite a bit more forward than he was this time last year. He has had one away day, which is good. And he always has that because that's the day he will sweat, sweat, sweat. He went to Kempton, as we do, and he enjoyed that. 

"He wasn't quite ready for it last year, I have to admit. But he seems in good shape. And this is where the game begins again. And it's lovely to have him back because he's been part of the Cheltenham furniture for a lot of years. 

"We're going to ignore the stats that say he doesn't like Cheltenham. 

"He's been great. I don't know how many times he's run in this race, but it seems to be the standing place for him to start every season on the grounds that we're still staying at two miles. I think that's the major point of that. So with that, it leads you nicely into the Tingle Creek. 

"So we're on the same plan. Everybody's happy. 

"Paddy [Murphy] rides him every day and nobody else is allowed on him because his wonderful mind doesn't like anything being out of sync. It's just routine, routine. And he trusts Paddy and so do I, and we leave it at that." 

One routine that will be different for Jonbon this season is the man who will be riding him on the racecourse, with the appointment of Cobden as retained rider for owner JP McManus meaning a change from regular pilot Nico De Boinville in Friday's Grade Two contest. 

Henderson explained: "Harry [Cobden]'s come and had literally a sit on him - he gets on at the bottom of the schooling ground, jumps five fences and gets off again. That's all he's allowed. And then Paddy gets on again."

Jonbon could only manage second behind L'Eau Du Sud in last year's race 

Now into the veteran stage of his career, Jonbon has been a credit to connections and the yard favourite is yet to be out of the first two in each of his 28 starts. 

"He loves it," said Henderson. "He's a 20-time winner from 28 starts. He's just so consistent. 

"I can remember when JP bought him in a sale, however many years ago it was. And he hasn't missed a game at any stage. 

"I suppose the only time is when we didn't run him at Sandown at the back end of last season on the last day. I would think that's about the only day he's ever missed a race. We're all proud of him, but we all love him. 

"I'd hate to lose this [Friday's race], but he's never been out of the first two and has won 12 Grade Ones. He's been something else." 

Perhaps the only question mark these days, certainly as far as his trainer is concerned, is whether the son of Walk In The Park will be sharp enough for the drop back to two miles on what is likely to be quick ground. 

"The big issue really is his trip nowadays and whether he's genuinely still a two-miler. He has been going two and a half, and I suspect that helps him a little bit." 

Regardless of the result, it's clear that Henderson and co will be proud of their stable stalwart. 

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