Ascot Chase: Jonbon digs deep to do it again in pulsating victory
Jonbon enhanced his prolific record by dethroning Pic D'Orhy after a titanic straight-long battle in the Ascot Chase and Nicky Henderson's star chaser now has the Ryanair in his sights.
Saturday 14 February 2026 17:15, UK
Jonbon had to dig as deep as he ever has to see off the gallant Pic d’Orhy in a thrilling renewal of the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Winning at the highest level for a 12th time, only Kauto Star now stands above him for that modern-day accolade.
Harry Cobden ensured he was going to test Jonbon's stamina to the limit and Nicky Henderson's star briefly looked in trouble, but Nico de Boinville knows him ever so well now and the 4-9 favourite came out on top by a length and a half.
Henderson said: "It was a proper race and two older horses putting up one of the race of the season, it was proper stuff. They jumped and they fought and they traded and it was in the balance all the way.
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"Races like that don't come up like that very often, but there has been some epic battles out there. Grundy was in the same yard and I was here for that - he was stabled 50 yards from Jonbon's box.
"We hoped we might have that two-mile speed to get at Pic d'Orhy but it was stamina rather than a blistering turn of foot that has helped him, proper heart and a will to win. He's extraordinary.
"It's funny as he ran the same sort of race as the Clarence House and he looked in trouble on the bend, but he got home that day because he stays and he got home today because he stays - he gets the trip well. You get the same race whatever you do."
This time at two miles and five furlongs, Jonbon was enhancing his Ascot love affair only 28 days after his heartwarming success in a dramatic Clarence House Chase and Henderson was full of praise for his regular work partner Paddy Murphy.
"He's been something special hasn't he and I know JP (McManus) loves him and don't we all. You don't get many like that. His record says it all and even if he's beat, he doesn't lie down.
"You have to be kind to him at home and he just wants it once he gets to the racecourse. Paddy rides him every day and we have to rely on him the whole way through.
"He had a fortnight admiring the view, picking the flowers, just having a lovely time after the Clarence House before coming back into the system properly and you have to rely on Paddy as if you change things Jonbon can't cope.
"He's unique in his mind, because he will fight like a tiger out on track, but he's as soft as butter at home. He has to have his roll, his pick of grass and his rider - Nico is only allowed to jump five fences on him."
He went on: "Nico has given him a lovely ride and he's jumped well and his jumping is as good as you can see.
"We didn't have to put the gun to his head today and I suspect he's enjoyed it a bit more as Nico hasn't had to be ask, ask, ask."
The missing piece in the Jonbon trophy cabinet is an elusive victory at the Cheltenham Festival and after being left unchanged by Paddy Power at 4-1 for the Ryanair, Henderson suggested he would relish giving the 10-year-old another chance to land a telling blow at National Hunt's showpiece.
"He deserves to win his race at the Cheltenham Festival," continued the Seven Barrows handler. "He's had two big races in four weeks now and he does turn round well - he goes Cheltenham, Aintree, Sandown most years.
"We did feel at Sandown last year he was as flat as we've seen him, but we'll see what JP wants to do and he has a lot of balls to chuck up in the air.
"I would have thought the Ryanair would be his best chance of getting that win and I can't see why you would want to come back two miles and you are not going to go any further, although I would have ridden him in a National Hunt Chase back in the day!"
While Jonbon is likely to roll on to the Cheltenham Festival, Paul Nicholls will take the tried and tested route to Aintree with Pic d'Orhy after passing the £1million prize-money marker with his brave effort in defeat.
Nicholls said: "Harry thought even jumping the last he might have a chance, he just landed a bit flat and he never stopped galloping did he, never gave in.
"I would say that is one of his best runs and I knew we had him really right. Credit to the winner, he is a machine.
"We're not going to Cheltenham, we'll go to Aintree and he has the option of two and a half and three (miles).
"Look at him, he's 11 and he's come back today fresh and well after a fine run. There's no reason why he won't come back next year if he's looking like this.
"I think he's the 10th horse we've had that has won £1m and he's now among the likes of Kauto Star, Master Minded and Neptune Collonges, seriously good horses.
"He's always been underrated, but he's a smart horse and I'm seriously proud of him."
