Christmas arrived early for Nicky Henderson at Sandown as Jonbon joined some of the Seven Barrows greats on the Tingle Creek roll of honour and provide a joyous end to a testing few days for the trainer.
It looked like Henderson could have been featuring in his own nightmare before Christmas as a wet week and heavy downpours over night at the Esher track scuppered plans to run some of his finest operators in the rearranged Fighting Fifth.
Constitution Hill, Shishkin and hot novice prospect Willmount were all erased from the Seven Barrows team sheet before the horsebox departed Lambourn on Saturday morning, but the great white hope to save the day was Jonbon as he returned to the scene of his coming of age Celebration Chase success hoping to add to his Grade One haul.
Jonbon far from dazzled in the Sandown slop, but proved he is developing into the consummate professional to give his handler some temporary relief.
“It’s been a very tough weekend to be honest and heart-breaking really,” said Henderson.
“Of course we wanted to run them, I wanted Shishkin to run, I wanted Constitution Hill to run and I was looking forward to Willmount in the first. It’s very disappointing.
“It’s nice to get that one put away and he can rest up now, it takes the pressure off.
“When you are 100-30 on you are pleased when it’s over, but he is very good.”
Henderson can now look forward to the second half of the campaign with Jonbon who has finally removed any thoughts of moving up in distance.
The Champion Chase is the plan and El Fabiolo is the target and all at Seven Barrows will now be focussed on downing their Arkle conqueror when they meet for a third time in March.
“You can’t take anything away from El Fabiolo and we have a bit to find,” continued Henderson.
“We did beat him a neck at Aintree in a Grade One hurdle the year before. It’s 1-1 and all to play for and we will be watching him carefully tomorrow no doubt.
“It’s their turn to have a little sweat and then we will plan the second half of the campaign.
“I can’t see that they will meet along the way and I don’t think we will be going to Ireland put it like that. I’m rather hoping that Willie (Mullins) will play the same game as us and we will get ready for a match in March.
“There was a time last year I thought he wanted further, but to be fair, ever since then all he’s done is show us he is a two-miler so I think we have to stick to that plan.”
For Constitution Hill and Shishkin, both will now head to their respective Boxing Day targets without a run this season, with Henderson hoping the racing public will understand why National Hunt’s flagship name will remain under lock and key until Kempton.
He added: “I think we have done the right thing and it may be disappointing for other people. But if Sandown people couldn’t see them then I’m sorry, but the Kempton people hopefully will see them.
“We had to make very difficult decisions last night, regrettably, but I think everybody has appreciated the reasoning.
“One thing you can’t do is come here and Kempton on Boxing Day. One of them had to be sacrificed for the other. No way is a horse going to come back from a race in this ground in 16 days, so they stayed at home and we hope for nicer ground at Kempton and hopefully they will both be there.”
Constitution Hill’s bombproof nature may make the Christmas Hurdle a simple formality on his return to action, but the master of Seven Barrows has always been concerned about the prospect of Shishkin contesting the King George VI Chase without a prep run.
However, time has now run out with Henderson left with no option but to head to Sunbury the day after Christmas and pray the enigmatic nine-year-old does not repeat the Ascot antics that saw him left at the start in a stubborn fit of petulance.
“We’ve said the whole way through that I can’t see how you can win the King George first time out,” explained Henderson.
“Now what do we do? Where can we go? I’m not going to go back to hurdles again or even think about it, he will almost certainly run in the King George.
“It’s quite an open King Gorge, but it doesn’t invite itself as a race for first-time outers. That start at Ascot was a catastrophe really. Not only did it cost him a run in a valuable race, but it has cost him his whole prep as well. With the weather we are where we are and we can’t do anything about it.
“The most important thing was to get a run into him because he can be a stroppy devil at home, but once you get a run into him he suddenly comes into our hands and we are in control. Maybe you will see me at the start? Although they tell me I’m not allowed to!”
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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