Jonbon broke Pic D’Orhy’s heart on Valentine’s Day by winning a thrilling Ascot Chase and taking a 12th Grade One victory.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon was pushed all the way by 2024 and 2025 winner Pic D’Orhy, with the pair jumping the final flight together.
Harry Cobden looked capable of powering Pic D’Orhy to a third successive win at 5-2 odds, but Nico de Boinville pulled out all the stops to overcome the 4-9 favorite, winning by one and a half lengths.
Only two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star (16) has more Grade 1 wins than Jonbon over fences.
“You have to be very brave to do what he did today because it was only four weeks ago that he was in another big battle here. [in winning the Clarence House Chase]” said Henderson.
“You’d like to think he could win one [at next month’s Cheltenham Festival] Because he deserves one, right?”
Jonbon and Pic D’Orhy were in a class of their own in the six-strong field, with Blow Your Wad (33-1) coming home fourteen lengths in third place.
Pic D’Orhy’s trainer Paul Nicholls said he was happy with the performance, calling it “one of his best races ever” despite the result.
Meanwhile, Grand Geste produced a strong late run to win the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock.
Jockey Danny McMenamin held off the Sue Smith-trained Gray Man until the closing stages, hitting the front after the final fence before winning by just under two lengths at 13-2.
The win comes with a potential £500,000 bonus should Grand Geste win this year’s Grand National at Aintree.
Top of the Bill (22-1) came second, ahead of Neo King (16-1) and Deafening Silence (7-1), while heavily backed favorite Myretown (3-1) took an early lead but were pulled up after a bad fade.
#Ascot #Chase #Jonbon #beats #Pic #DOrhy #thriller