Shloer Chase at Cheltenham: Jonbon among seven entries
Dual winner Jonbon will have the chance to regain his Shloer Chase crown after Nicky Henderson’s stalwart headed seven entries for Cheltenham’s feature event on Friday.
The Grade Two contest which takes top billing on day one of the November meeting was used to successfully launch Jonbon’s season in both 2023 and 2024 but he tasted defeat 12 months ago when Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud took home the spoils.
That rival is absent this time around with course regular Calico stepping up in class to represent the champion trainer, while Joe Tizzard’s JPR One could make a quick return to action after chasing home Rubaud in the rearranged Haldon Gold Cup at Aintree.
That was the place Mighty Bandit was last seen competing in the spring, with Warren Greatrex’s six-year-old finishing the season in Grade One company having progressed through the handicap ranks with three-straight wins prior to that.
Similar sentiments apply to Jane Williams’ Saint Segal who mixed it with some of the best last season, while this looks to be the preferred destination of Harry Fry’s Gidleigh Park who also has an engagement in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup over further.
The field is complete by Cath Williams’ Champion Chase runner-up Libberty Hunter, although it remains to be seen if conditions at Prestbury Park which are currently described at the time of entries as good, good to firm in places would be suitable for a horse that often excels when the mud flies.
There are 15 entries for the other Group Two on the card, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – a race won last year by No Drama This End – while a maximum of nine will contest the Listed Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices’ Chase over an extended three miles.
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