Nicky Henderson has two of the leading novice hurdlers going into the Cheltenham Festival come March, with both of their plans still yet to be decided by connections.
The current favourite in this race is Jonbon who has been flawless in his three rules starts (Also a winner in his sole point to point in Ireland) and couldn’t have been more impressive in the Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices Hurdle at Ascot last time out, smashing some decent rivals to win by an eased down 2- and three-quarter lengths.
The winning margin doesn’t do him justice, as it visually looked a very easy success, jumping superbly well and really showing he has the traits of his brother the great Douvan.
The Nicky Henderson charge is currently 2 for 2 over hurdles and does look one of the more talented novice hurdlers this season, making him hard to beat in this with Graded form already to his name so early on in his career.
Leading novice hurdler for a top yard, currently unbeaten in his career and most impressive in a Grade 2 at Ascot last time out with some good horses in behind but does have a 5lb penalty which the rest of the runners don’t.
Will be hard to beat in this.