Jonbon

6bg

Trainer Nicky Henderson

Best hurdles RPR 155

Another who arrived with a huge reputation, but that was hardly surprising given he was a 15-length point winner and a brother to Douvan who set back JP McManus £570,000 and then won his bumper in a canter. His first two hurdles successes were also won in a canter, albeit in farcical slowly run races, but he proved his mettle when having to battle on bad ground at Haydock in the Rossington Main, eventually winning with a bit up his sleeve. Like all the others, he proved no match for Constitution Hill in the Supreme, but he had just hit the front from Dysart Dynamo when that one came down. He had to battle again when winning the Top Novices’ at Aintree, but he certainly knows how to fight now, and he very much looks the type to jump fences. The question is the trip as he looked to be a strong stayer at 2m both at Haydock and Aintree and was clearly outpaced by a very good horse at Cheltenham.

Trainer has nominated the

Arkle as the long-term target, though, so it seems he will stay at 2m at least for the time being.