This weekend serves up a real treat for National Hunt fans, as Cheltenham Racecourse lays on a three-day feast of quality action. Kicking off on Friday and concluding on Sunday afternoon, each of the three days offers a cracking contest as its centrepiece. On Sunday, that honour falls to the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, whilst Saturday belongs to the much anticipated Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase.
However, the classiest headline act comes on Friday afternoon, as a field of crack two-mile chasers lock horns in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase. First appearing on the Cheltenham menu in 2009, this £100,000 event gained Grade 2 status in 2015 and regularly attracts contenders with an eye on Queen Mother Champion Chase glory.
Former Arkle Chase hero Well Chief claimed the inaugural edition, whilst Put The Kettle On followed up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase following her win in 2020. However, the stand-out name on the roll of honour is that of Nicky Henderson’s dual Champion Chase king, Sprinter Sacre.
Henderson the Man to Beat in 2024
With three previous wins in the race, Nicky Henderson is the most successful trainer in Shloer Chase history. It would take a brave punter to bet against him making that four in 2024. Flying the Seven Burrows flag this time around is one of the most talented two-mile chasers in training – Jonbon.
As a full brother to the Willie Mullins-trained megastar Douvan, much was expected of this JP McManus-owned runner when he first hit the track in 2020. Could he possibly be as good as his brother?
Fast forward to 2024, and Jonbon is well on his way to matching the exploits of his sibling. His current chase mark of 170 is just four pounds shy of Douvan’s peak rating, whilst one more top-level triumph will see him draw level with Douvan on eight Grade 1 wins.
Grade 1 win number eight may arrive on Friday afternoon, as Jonbon is odds on across the board to successfully defend his Shloer Chase crown. Nine and a half lengths too good for the field in 2023 – can anything stop him 12 months on?
Three Opponents Remain in Contention
Given his stellar record at the track, connections of the other top two-mile chasers may not be particularly keen to take him on. However, as the old saying goes, you should never be afraid of one horse. The following three rivals remain in contention in the days leading up to the race.
- Edwardstone – Successful three times in Grade 1 company, this Alan King star is a talented performer on his day. The pick of those victories came when landing the 2022 edition of the Arkle Chase over this course and distance. Almost 10 lengths adrift of Jonbon in the 2023 renewal, he got a little closer in the Tingle Creek Chase and the Celebration Chase but has work to do to turn the tables
- Boothill – Yet to score at the top level, Boothill’s two previous outings in Grade 1 company saw him finish fourth in the 2024 Celebration Chase and second in the 2022 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. The winner on each of those occasions? None other than Jonbon
- Unexpected Pary – Dan Skelton’s runner is the outsider of the field but is a course and distance winner. The grey’s last visit to Cheltenham was victory in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual at the Festival in March
Withdrawn Runners
The following contenders have been withdrawn from the race.
- Master Chewy – This Nigel Twiston-Davies runner is yet to break his duck in Grade 1 company but came mightily close when losing out by a short head to Found A Fifty in the Maghull Novices’ Chase. In what would be only his eighth start over fences, he would have been less exposed than most but managed only third on his comeback in a Grade 3 handicap
- Matata – Nigel Twiston-Davies other runner would have been the youngster in the field with this Simon Munir and Isaac Souede runner open to improvement. However, he has been beaten by a combined 54½ lengths in his two previous cracks at Grade 1 level
- Calico – This Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old would have been the lowest-rated runner in the field, with 28 pounds to find with Jonbon. He mastered Matata over course and distance in October but is zero from three at Grade 3 level or above
- Libberty Hunter – This consistent sort has hit the frame in four of five starts over fences but is yet to win outside of handicap company. A full 10 lengths behind Master Chewy, he would have had a mountain to climb on ratings
The formbook and betting market suggest this will be a penalty kick for Jonbon. Will that be the case, or will we witness an upset? We will know the answer by around 2:25 pm on Friday.