Going into the Shloer Chase of 2025, four horses have won the Grade 2 contest over about two miles on Cheltenham’s Old Course twice. One of those is the mighty Jonbon, and Nicky Henderson’s charge could make history on the opening day of the November Meeting as he seeks a hat-trick.
Odds-on with all the leading Cheltenham bookies online, this JP McManus runner is famous for a lot more than being Douvan’s brother. Jonbon is a star in his own right, but all of his Grade I successes have come away from Prestbury Park. Now a nine-year-old, he’s at the end of his prime yet remains the star attraction for racegoers on 14 November.
Jonbon won the Shloer Chase in each of the last two seasons, so you can see why bookmakers have him a short price for yet another successful reappearance. This Walk In The Park gelding scored at 4/9 and 1/3, but also stays further than the race’s distance. Off a mark of 168, Jonbon is 5lb and upwards clear of the field on adjusted ratings in his hat-trick bid.
Six rivals oppose him first time out, more than on previous occasions. More on those in a moment. After landing the last two editions of the Melling Chase around Aintree and losing his undefeated record at Sandown when last in action, it may be that the opposition feels Jonbon looks more vulnerable over two miles now.
He has seen Celebration Chase conqueror Il Etait Temps prove his own stamina when defying a penalty in a Clonmel Grade 2 over further earlier this month. Jonbon’s Cheltenham odds for the 2026 Queen Mother Champion Chase probably won’t change much here, but more depend on the outcome of the Tingle Creek back at Sandown in December.
Who Faces Jonbon at Cheltenham This Time?
According to the market, last season’s Arkle Trial winner L’Eau Du Sud is the one most likely to deny a slice of history at the November Meeting. Dan Skelton’s charge went on from course and distance success during this fixture 12 months ago to land the Grade I Henry VIII Novices’ Chase around Sandown. After landing a four-timer over fences in the Kingmaker at local course Warwick, L’Eau Du Sud saw his form tail off.
L’EAU DU SUD… UNTOUCHED! 😮
Harry Skelton glides to victory in the @paddypower Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial pic.twitter.com/J3UeJO434W
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 16, 2024
Spring festival runs, including a fourth in the Arkle on the Cheltenham schedule, suggest the seven-year-old Lord Du Sud gelding needs improvement. Evan Williams’ Welsh raider Libberty Hunter and Matata for the local Twiston-Davies stable have won handicaps here, meanwhile. The former came from off the pace for second place in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last season.
Libberty Hunter was one of two fallers at the business end of the Champion Chase during the Festival. He could’ve been in the frame without taking a tumble three out. Aged nine, and this a contemporary of Jonbon, he’s no spring chicken, but Libberty Hunter is relatively lightly-raced for his age. Matata’s style of running, from the front, leaves him there to be shot at by the rest of the Shloer Chae field.
Alan King veteran Edwardstone is back for one final campaign but, as he’s rising 12, it’s hard to see how he can roll back the years. Other opposition for Jonbon includes Anthony Honeyball’s Brookie. He finished ahead of L’Eau Du Sud in the Maghull around Aintree and in front of Matata in a handicap during the Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham races last month. Long absent Haddex Des Obeaux completes the line-up.
Shloer Chase 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
It’s at the mercy of JONBON really. He often makes at least one mistake on his way round here, but can give weight and a beating to these rivals. If Matata goes on and makes the running, then it could bring the likes of Libberty Hunter and Brookie into it from off the pace. Don’t be surprised if L’Eau Du Sud, like so many from the stable this autumn, needs the run.
