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Jonbon‘s Upset Victory: A Triumph of Stamina at the Grade One Two-Miler
In a surprising turn of events at the Grade One two-miler race on January 17, 2026, Jonbon secured a victory that even his trainer, Nicky Henderson, hadn’t fully anticipated. While initially doubting a win, Henderson credited the ten-year-old’s remarkable stamina for carrying him through to the finish line. This win raises questions about jonbon’s potential as a contender in future races, particularly the Cheltenham Champion Chase.
A Race Against Expectations
Nicky Henderson admitted to ITV that he approached the race with concerns, noting Jonbon’s previously consistent record of finishing in the top two was under threat. He expressed initial fears about Jonbon’s ability to maintain his position throughout the demanding course. “I came in here thinking his record of never being out of the first two was under big threat. I realy did fear that,” Henderson stated.
Stamina as the Deciding factor
The race itself was described as a grueling, end-to-end gallop that tested the endurance of all participants. Henderson initially believed Jonbon was losing ground around three fences from the finish,but the horse demonstrated an impressive resilience. “He was amazing. That was an end-to-end gallop.It seemed to test them all. I thought he was beaten three out, but then he keeps going,” Henderson explained.
While Jonbon may not possess the same raw speed he once had, his enhanced stamina proved to be the key to his success. Henderson highlighted this shift, noting, “He was a very fast horse. Now he’s not as fast as he was, but his stamina kicks in. He’s got older legs, but he’s brave, he jumps.”
Looking Ahead: Cheltenham Champion Chase Potential?
Despite the impressive win, Henderson remains cautious about Jonbon’s future prospects, specifically regarding the Cheltenham Champion Chase. He has previously attempted to race Jonbon over longer distances, but those attempts haven’t yielded positive results. “I’d love to be trying him over further [distances], but things have invariably gone wrong [when I have],” Henderson said.
Other Notable Moments from the Race
The race wasn’t without its setbacks for other competitors. Gidleigh Park was forced to pull up six fences from