Jonbon Hot Champion Chase Favourite After Weekend Romp

Jonbon cemented his place at the head of the Cheltenham Champion Chase betting market with an impressive win in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Already a short-priced favourite before Saturday's Grade 1 race, betting sites have shortened Nicky Henderson's star into a general 5/4 favourite for the Cheltenham highlight.
It was a race billed as a straight match-up between Jonbon and two-time Champion Chase winner, Energumene, and that proved to be the case.
The pair took each other on at the head of proceedings throughout, but Jonbon was always in control and pulled away from his rival in the closing stages after an impressive round of jumping.
Energumene Camp Keeping Faith
It may have been an impressive performance from Jonbon, but Energumene went down fighting and there are some positives to take from his performance.
Willie Mullins' 11-year-old was having just his second start in under two years due to injury and was also running on ground far better than he would prefer.
Energumene's camp are confident that he will be seen to greater effect at Cheltenham, particularly if the surface comes up soft.
Horse racing betting sites were less impressed with Energumene's performance, and he is now available to back at 10/1 with Coral for Cheltenham's two-mile showpiece.
Gaelic Warrior The Main Danger
Another Willie Mullins inmate, Gaelic Warrior now looks to be the main danger to Jonbon in the Champion Chase.
The seven-year-old can be a force to be reckoned with when at his best, as seen in last year's Arkle Chase.
He hasn't had a great start to this season with defeat at Leopardstown, but if at his best in March, he will be more than a match for Jonbon.
Gaelic Warrior is currently priced at 7/2 with Ladbrokes for the Cheltenham Champion Chase.
Il Est Francais The Outlier
We are still not sure which race French raider Il Est Francais will line up in at Cheltenham, but betting apps think the Champion Chase is the most likely destination.
The impressive front runner also has entries in the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup, but two miles around Cheltenham could be ideal.
Winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton in 2023, he was last seen just failing in the King George over Christmas.
His front-running tactics will ensure that his rivals are under pressure from the start, and his slick jumping will make him hard to catch.
He is the one horse that will take Jonbon on at the front and is currently seen as a 10/1 shot with BetVictor.
Banbridge And El Fabiolo Are Other Contenders
Banbridge (25/1) was the one to lower the colours of Il Est Francais in the King George, and he is another major player in the Champion Chase.
Adaptable regarding trip, Joseph O'Brien's charge is another that could be suited by an honest gallop over two miles.
El Fabiolo (12/1) has been going under the radar when it comes to the Champion Chase. A very talented horse when at his best, the wheels came off towards the end of last season.
He was pulled up in last year's Champion Chase but was just four lengths behind Jonbon in last year's Celebration Chase at Sandown.
He hasn't been seen since, but his trainer, Willie Mullins, is likely to have him in top order come festival time.
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