Talking Horses: Jonbon in fashion for the Cheltenham festival after the lovemaking of Ascot | Tips for horse racing | Breaking News Updates

But his purchase price was still a new record for a former point-to-point auction, and Nicky Henderson admitted that “when a horse is that expensive, there’s always a bit of pressure” after Jonbon takes care of him. Last year. That left the coach breathing a sigh of relief after the gelding was forced to do most of the race en route to an easy two and three-quarter loss to Colonel Mustard on Friday.

“He’s getting used to it,” Henderson said. “They were playing games at the start [with no-one willing to cut out the running and] I would rather ride it the other way around, but it can do whatever you want.

“To be fair, life has been pretty straightforward and very straightforward since his first run [over hurdles] in Newbury [last month]. He becomes more relaxed in life. He was good at first. He was a cool guy all around. He got them out of the bridle very far with no rhythm because Aidan said his cruising speed was so high.

Only five riders registered for Friday’s race, but Jonbon’s four opponents got off to a good start in their hurdles career. As a result, bookies didn’t hesitate to make Jonbon the undisputed new favorite of the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, a race Henderson has won with Altior and Shishkin since 2016.

“I think only one race [beforehand]”Henderson said.” Where or when I’m not going to speculate. His life is in front of him and not behind him, but we’re going through the nervous’ 90s, that was what it was today. That was obviously going to be a test.

Henderson also confirmed on Friday that Shishkin, potentially Britain’s brightest new show jumping star, is still a potential runner in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on December 27.

“Shishkin worked this morning with [former Champion Hurdle winner] Amazing and he was good, ”said Henderson. “His reach was good afterwards which was encouraging, but I have to say it again on Tuesday.

“I want to do this gallop again. It will probably be Tuesday and I will decide if he is ready for a race the following Monday. If he is not ready … we will come here [to Ascot] for the Clarence house [in January]’. “

Ronald has class for the long walk

Nicky Henderson’s progressive hurdler Buzz, the first seed for the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, will likely be sidelined for the remainder of the season at least after suffering an alleged pelvic fracture.

“He was just doing his last lap [for Ascot] and about 100 yards from the end, bang, ”Henderson said Friday morning. “The most important thing is that he stays as still as possible and as long as he doesn’t bleed, which is the dangerous part, it’s just a matter of staying still long enough.”

With Buzz absent, eight riders are due to make it to the station on Saturday, including Henderson’s Champ, winner of the first-year novice pursuit at Cheltenham in March 2020, who returns to hurdles after jumping badly before being shot in the Gold Cup from last season.

Champ also won the first year on wood as a rookie, but it is a difficult task for his first start in nine months and Ronald Pump (2.25) more appeals to about 7-2.

The eight-year-old Matthew Smith has dotted the target in freshman for the past few seasons and has run well to finish eight lengths behind Honeysuckle, the undefeated defending champion Hurdler, when he returned to action at Fairyhouse on last month. This step backwards up to three miles can finally see him break through at the highest level.

Ascot 1.50 Guy was kicked off the favorite on this track last time around and would have been close without a big mistake on the second to last. Still lightly run over the fences he can redeem that with a 3 pound higher rating.

Haydock Park 2.05 It is a slight concern that Stellar magic was stopped in a quick hat-trick in February, but his previous winning form at Taunton suggests he is starting in handicaps on an achievable note.

Haydock Park 2.40 Remastered would have made a few saves in the Ladbrokes Trophy in Newbury last month if it hadn’t been for a crash in the penultimate. He had traveled as the best handicapped horse in the race up to this point and can run the same mark here.

Ascot 3.00 An interest in Jerrysback won’t be to everyone’s liking given its recent form, PP-F numbers, and its habit of being wrong at a vital stage. It’s part of his price, though, and he’s shown glimpses of enough talent to be competitive against today’s brand if or when everything falls into place.

Ascot 3.35 Suitably competitive terrain for one of the season’s most valuable two-mile handicap hurdles. West Cork and No Ordinary Joe both performed well on faster ground in Cheltenham last time around, but their price is increased accordingly, so Llandinabo boy attracts the attention of underdogs around 20-1. He finished second behind the first class My Drogo on this track and trip in a sophomore novice 12 months ago, and has made a solid return to action after a wind test in Bangor last month.