Jonbon faces seven rivals in Tingle Creek defence at Sandown

Alan King's Edwardstone will have another crack at the tough nut that is Jonbon in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The two horses have plenty of history and one previous victory in the race apiece, with Edwardstone’s coming in 2022 and Jonbon’s the following season when he beat the reigning champion by two and three-quarter lengths.

Both started their season in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, where again it was Jonbon who prevailed but Edwardstone was not disgraced when beaten into third with Boothill narrowly ahead of him.

"Edwardstone will be 11 on New Year’s Day, but his enthusiasm and work at home has been as good as its ever been," King said on his website.

"I was delighted with his comeback run behind Jonbon in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month, and he took a bit of a blow going to the last fence, which suggests that he might come on for the run.

"No doubt Jonbon will improve as well, but Edwardstone was less than three lengths behind him in this race last year and there has never been much between the pair.

"Edwardstone won the Tingle Creek in 2022 and it’s one of my favourite steeplechases. Obviously, I’d love to win it again, but, while Jonbon is a worthy odds-on favourite, I have seen no reason at home not to run, and if I opted out where else would I go?"

As alluded to by King, Jonbon is the horse to beat in the race and will head the field for the Grade One for trainer Nicky Henderson.

The eight-year-old has a flawless record at the track, winning all four runs there to date including his Tingle Creek success over Edwardstone last term.

His winning comeback in the Shloer Chase should now stand him in good stead as he bids to return another trophy to the mantelpiece at Seven Barrows.

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