Jonbon bids for a slice of history in the 2025 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, aiming to become the first horse since Kauto Star to win the Grade 1 two-mile showpiece three years in a row.
For Nicky Henderson, the race arrives at a sensitive moment after Constitution Hill’s mishap in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, making Jonbon’s attempt to extend his remarkable Sandown record an important opportunity to reset the narrative at Seven Barrows.
The Tingle Creek Chase, run over 1m7f99y at Sandown, is one of the key early-season tests for top-class two-mile chasers.
With its stiff Railway fences and demanding uphill finish, the race often identifies the leading contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and has been won by greats such as Desert Orchid, Flagship Uberalles, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre, and Altior.
This year’s renewal, featuring just five runners after declarations, is headed by Il Etait Temps, L’Eau Du Sud, and Jonbon, promises a clash between Irish raiders and proven British stars.
Horses who handle the track can return year after year, and in Jonbon’s case, he has already amassed five Grade 1 victories at the course, including the last two Tingle Creeks and the Celebration Chase.
That familiarity under race conditions is a major asset as he faces Il Etait Temps, and the improving L’Eau Du Sud, fresh from a dominant Shloer Chase win.
Jonbon: Chasing a Tingle Creek Hat-trick
Jonbon’s record speaks for itself: multiple Grade 1 wins, only a handful of defeats in nearly 20 starts, and a near-perfect profile at Sandown.
He became the first horse since Kauto Star to win consecutive Tingle Creeks in 2023 and 2024, showing his adaptability in both testing and better ground, and his ability to control races from a prominent position.
Last year he was particularly impressive, recovering from an early mistake to assert down the back straight and stretch clear over the Pond Fence and the last two obstacles.
That Sandown rhythm has become his trademark. Jonbon jumps economically, travels strongly and, crucially, responds instantly when Nico de Boinville asks him to put pressure on his rivals.
However, his seasonal reappearance in the 2025 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham was below his best, as he was well beaten by L’Eau Du Sud after a slightly scrappy round of jumping.
Connections and bookmakers alike see the Tingle Creek as the ideal place for him to bounce back, given his record at the track and his proven ability to raise his game when returning to Sandown.
Henderson’s Season So Far
Nicky Henderson arrives at the Tingle Creek weekend under more scrutiny than usual. Constitution Hill, long regarded as the stable’s standard-bearer, suffered another setback in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, coming down at the second flight and raising fresh questions about his future campaign.
It was his third fall since padded hurdles became more widely used, and Henderson has openly expressed concern that the altered obstacles, rather than the horse’s raw ability, may be playing a major role in his recent jumping problems.
The trainer has spoken about “letting the dust settle” before making any decisions on Constitution Hill’s next steps, including whether to persist over hurdles or consider an alternative route.
Against that backdrop, a big run from Jonbon at Sandown would be timely. Seven Barrows has still been sending out winners and remains a powerhouse yard, but a clear, fluent performance in a major Grade 1 would calm nerves and remind observers of Henderson’s continued knack for producing chasers at the top level.
Il Etait Temps and L’Eau Du Sud
Jonbon’s task is far from straightforward. Il Etait Temps, trained by Willie Mullins, comes into the Tingle Creek as the likely favourite after a ruthless win in the Clonmel Oil Chase and an outstanding Celebration Chase success over this course and distance in April, where he beat Jonbon decisively.
His accurate jumping and strong finish up the hill make him an obvious danger, and he offers Mullins a real chance of a first Tingle Creek win since Un De Sceaux in 2016.
L’Eau Du Sud, representing Dan Skelton, has also thrust himself into the conversation with an eye-catching Shloer Chase victory.
He travelled powerfully and pulled clear of Jonbon at Cheltenham, pushing his rating up and forcing markets to reassess his standing among two-mile chasers.
With proven Sandown form from his novice days and a yard adept at placing improving horses in the right races, he is more than capable of testing both Il Etait Temps and Jonbon if he reproduces that level.
The Supporting Cast
Nothing is certain in racing, so beyond the headline trio, the race includes another couple of experienced and progressive types.
Boothill, trained by Harry Fry, has built a reputation as a tough, reliable two-mile chaser who often runs well in deep handicaps and intermediate graded races without quite getting his head in front at the highest level.
He travels strongly, jumps soundly when in rhythm, and usually finishes his races off well, which makes him a natural candidate to try his luck in a smaller-field Grade 1.
Libberty Hunter, from Evan Williams’ yard, is a similarly admirable type who has earned his chance in this company with progressive chase efforts in good-quality handicaps.
He tends to be ridden a little cold, using his stamina to stay on late, and that style could be well suited to Sandown if the leaders go hard from an early stage.
While he lacks the established Grade 1 profile of the front three, his accurate jumping and honest running style mean he is capable of picking up pieces late on, especially in a race where any mistake is punished.
In truth, most observers expect the winner to come from Il Etait Temps, L’Eau Du Sud, or Jonbon. The others are each capable of running into the frame if one or more of the principals underperform, but on known form, they sit just below the leading trio.
Can Jonbon Complete The Treble?
Jonbon’s bid for a Tingle Creek hat-trick is about more than statistics. It is a test of whether his long-standing Sandown dominance can withstand fresh challenges from an Irish star who has already beaten him here and a British rival who outpointed him at Cheltenham.
His record at the track, his understanding with Nico de Boinville and Henderson’s ability to tune him up for this specific assignment all count in his favour.
Yet the margin for error is slim. Any repeat of the Shloer mistakes could leave him vulnerable to Il Etait Temps’ late surge or L’Eau Du Sud’s strong travelling style.
If he jumps cleanly and settles into his usual Sandown rhythm, a third consecutive Tingle Creek is well within reach and would provide a welcome high point in what has been a challenging period for his trainer.
Whatever the outcome, this year’s Tingle Creek feels like a pivotal race both for Jonbon’s legacy and for the current narrative around Nicky Henderson’s top-class team.
BETFRED
