Jonbon lines up as the odds-on favourite for today’s Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, a Grade 2 contest over two miles that has attracted an intriguing field of six seasoned performers.
While Jonbon’s record, class, and connections make him highly fancied, the combination of heavy rain and softening ground adds genuine uncertainty and gives each contender a fighting chance in this autumn highlight.
Jonbon: The Standout Favourite
Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, returns to Cheltenham in search of a third consecutive Shloer Chase crown.
Now a nine-year-old, he is the highest-rated chaser in the field at 168 and has become a specialist at this trip and venue.
His achievements last season included a dominant win in the Melling Chase at Aintree and a string of top-class runs, never finishing outside the first two in an illustrious career.
Fresh from a wind operation over the summer, Jonbon comes into this race after a long lay-off, making his seasonal debut.
His ability to find his best form on reappearance is well-documented, and his past record when fresh is exceptional.
His trackcraft, jumping speed, and tactical pace give him a natural edge in small fields, and he’s previously shown elegance and determination to win even in slowly-run, tactical affairs.
Shloer Chase Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jonbon | 8/11 |
| L’eau Du Sud | 7/2 |
| Libberty Hunter | 7/1 |
| Matata | 17/2 |
| Edwardstone | 16/1 |
| Haddex Des Obeaux | 40/1 |
The Challengers: Strength in Depth
Soft conditions and the possibility of deteriorating ground after days of rain mean the race may develop into more of a stamina test than usual.
This will give hope to all five rivals, each arriving with credible profiles and reasons to believe they could force a close finish.
L’Eau du Sud
Dan Skelton’s second-season chaser L’Eau du Sud is Jonbon’s primary market rival and has shown significant progress in 2024.
Second in the betting, he has strong Cheltenham credentials, having been competitive at Grade 1 level and performing well in handicap company.
If the rain continues, his stamina and form on softer ground could be crucial.
Libberty Hunter
Evan Williams’ Libberty Hunter is a solid chase who looks set to make his seasonal return in this race.
He was a faller in the Champion Chase back in March but had shown genuine promise throughout the previous campaign, including strong placed efforts in deep ground.
With improving ratings and a growing course profile, he presents each-way value.
Matata
From the strong Twiston-Davies yard, Matata lines up as a lively outsider.
He is still unexposed at this level, and while previous efforts were just below this grade, his adaptability to soft ground and aggressive racing style make him an interesting proposition should tactics become crucial in a smaller field.
Edwardstone
A former Tingle Creek hero (2022), Edwardstone’s talent is not in doubt, but his form tailed off at the end of last season.
Prone to the occasional jumping error, he remains a high-class operator and, as a first-time-out specialist, could bounce back, especially if the leaders take each other on up front.
Haddex Des Obeaux
Wearing first-time cheekpieces, Haddex Des Obeaux, trained by Donald McCain, is a long-priced runner.
He has yet to translate his best novice form to this level, but if the race turns attritional, the soft ground could enable him to outrun his odds as a late closer or in a strongly-run contest.
Ground, Weather, and Tactics
Heavy rain overnight leading into Friday has shifted ground conditions from good to soft towards soft, perhaps even bordering on heavy in places, according to the latest clerk of the course updates.
Such conditions have a habit of levelling the playing field, slowing down the speedsters and rewarding those with proven stamina and gritty determination.
Jonbon’s career has shown adaptability on a range of surfaces, though most of his standout wins have come on ground no worse than soft.
If conditions deteriorate even further, L’Eau du Sud and Libberty Hunter, both with winning form on deeper ground, might find today’s test more to their liking.
Pace will likely be at a premium in a six-runner affair: Matata and Libberty Hunter are naturally forward-going, which could ensure a true test.
Jonbon’s tactical speed should keep him prominent, but those looking to take him on will be hoping for a drawn-out contest that exposes any lack of fitness after his summer break.
Conclusion
Jonbon is widely expected to add a third Shloer Chase to his already-glittering record, but the combination of first-time-out fitness, stamina-sapping soft ground, and determined opposition from the likes of L’Eau du Sud and Libberty Hunter means his task is far from straightforward.
All six runners can be given some chance, especially in a tactical contest where ground and weather could prove the decisive factors.
The race sets up as a fascinating seasonal starting point for Britain’s top two-mile chasers and could provide key clues for future championship races later in the season.
BETFRED
