Tingle Creek Chase

Jonbon obviously sets a high standard in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Basking in a rating of 170, Nicky Henderson’s horse is 7lb and more clear of his rivals on official ratings, he was an impressive winner of the race last year, and he is four for four at Sandown.

But he may not be invincible. He wasn’t as impressive in winning the Shloer Chase on his debut this season as he was in winning the same race on his debut last season before he came on to Sandown and won the 2023 renewal of the Tingle Creek, in which he was more workmanlike than impressive.

Also, in Quilixios he meets a progressive young chaser who has the potential to out-perform his rating by a fair way today. One of the leading juvenile hurdlers of his year, the Triumph Hurdle winner, it has taken Henry de Bromhead’s horse a little while to find his metier over fences.

But he was good in winning at Naas last January, nothing went right for him in the Arkle in March when he was quietly fancied, and he was very good in winning at Naas on his seasonal debut last time.

He led from flagfall that day, he jumped very well, and he saw of the challenge from Marine Nationale at the second last fence. There is a chance that he will face competition for the lead today from Jonbon or from Solness, but, even so, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him lead from early.

That is a style of racing that is well suited to Sandown’s chase track and, if he can get into a rhythm again today, he could put it up to the favourite.

Quilixios, 3.00 Sandown,

11/2 (generally), 1 point win