Dominant victory for Jonbon on fences debut to show Arkle hopes

Jonbon made the perfect start to his career over fences with a dominant victory in the Highflyer Bloodstock Novices' Chase at Warwick.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the €600,000 full-brother to the mighty Douvan won his only start in the bumper sphere at Newbury and was four from five over hurdles - his only defeat coming at the hands of his esteemed stablemate Constitution Hill in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Having bagged a Grade One of his own at Aintree, the JP McManus-owned five-year-old was all the rage for his seasonal reappearance and fencing bow as the 2-5 favourite, despite facing two high-class rivals in fellow Grade One winner Monmiral and Greatwood Hurdle victor in West Cork.

There was no hanging around from flag-fall, either, with Jonbon and Aidan Coleman and Monmiral and Harry Cobden duelling for the lead clear of West Cork who was soon adrift of the others.

Jonbon was a little novicey at the first obstacle, but was otherwise accurate at his fences and was particularly impressive in the back straight, at which stage his class began to tell.

Monmiral did his best to keep tabs on the leader, but Jonbon accelerated away from the third-last and only had to negotiate the two fences in the straight to seal his seven-length success.

Several bookmakers were suitably impressed, with the winner now heading the market for the Arkle Trophy back at Cheltenham at 2-1 with the firms.