I’m banking on the shortie treble flying home on day two of Cheltenham Festival

12 hours ago 40

SOME say he’s poor at Cheltenham — and his brother Douvan failed in two Queen Mother Champion Chase bids.

But I can’t see past tasty JONBON (4.00) in today’s feature two-mile dash.

Jockey Nico de Boinville celebrates winning a horse race.

Chappers is banking on Jonbon to deliver the goods on day two of Cheltenham[/caption]

Douvan was only seventh — beating just three home — when sent off the sizzling 2-9 favourite for the 2017 Champion Chase.

And he fell when making his seasonal debut in the same contest in 2018.

Jonbon has only been beaten three times in his life but the doubters point to the fact all those defeats came at Cheltenham.

He was second to Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices Hurdle in 2022 and then chased home El Fabiolo in the 2023 Arkle.

His last loss was a career-worst effort in a rearranged Clarence House.

His jumping fell to pieces that day in January 2024 and he went down by a head to Elixir De Nutz.

But that was then . . . and this is now.

And I’m not falling for this apparent loathing of Cheltenham baloney.

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After all, both Douvan (Supreme and Arkle) and Jonbon (Shloer Chase twice) have won at the course. Hardly a family hoodoo!

In total Jonbon has won 17 of his 20 starts and is super consistent.

He was rated 170 for seven races in a row before being upped to 171 after his win over Energumene.

Despite his incredible record, Jonbon has never been a firm fans’ favourite. I expect that to change today with an incredible reception when he wins a seventh Champion Chase for a no-doubt tearful Nicky Henderson.

FINAL DEMAND (1.20) look a monster and can make it three wins on by beating The New Lion in the opener.

It should be a cracker, this.

The Yellow Clay has a great attitude and it would be great if Potters Charm won for the Twisters.

Yet Final Demand easily won a Grade 1 at Leopardstownlast time and, while he’s a big chaser in the making, he has the class for this.

BALLYBURN (2.00) is another hotpot who is hard to oppose in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

It’s odd how quickly people forget that, as a hurdler Ballyburn looked as though he might never be beaten, slamming the field in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle.

He was outclassed by the brilliant Sir Gino over fences this season but this step up in trip will suit.

I have whittled the Coral Cup down to two — BALLYADAM (2.40) and Be Aware.

Ballyadam was second in this last year for Henry de Bromhead and is only 4lb higher now.

He’s also been fifth in a County Hurdle twice and once chased home Appreciate It home in a Supreme.

I put up Be Aware at 14-1 many weeks ago so also have him in the book up in trip and off a low weight.

He will be out the back and try and come home fast.

I’m not the biggest fan of the cross country but will chance MISTER COFFEY (3.20).

He has never won over fences and it’s probably ridiculous to think he will win this topsy-turvy up-and-down stuff but he only has 10st 10lb to hump and a mark of 143 is workable.

UNEXPECTED PARTY (4.40) is 6lb higher than when he won for us last year but can go in again on ground that will suit.

Toss a coin for the Champion Bumper. It’s hell-for-leather scary stuff and a bit of a lottery.

I’m settling for KALYPSO’CHANCE (5.20) for Big Gordon. Good luck . . . and Yeeehaaa!