Jonbon (8/13 favourite) made the successful transition to open company when recording a comfortable win in the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase over two miles at Sandown on Saturday.

Victorious twice in Grade 1 novice company this season at Sandown Park and Aintree, the seven year old made a mistake at the fourth fence but soon recovered and after taking the lead from Captain Guinness (6/1) at the last, powered up the Sandown hill to win by three and three-quarter lengths under Aidan Coleman.

It was a near 12/1 double for owner JP McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson after the victory of Under Control in the first race.

Nicky Henderson said: “It was brave (running him). We had ummed and arred all week. I’ve been Punchestown all week and the boys have been getting this fellow ready - Paddy (Murphy) who rides him every day, and Charlie (Morlock), who is my right hand man, I’ve been talking to them every day and there was just no reason not to run him. It is very un-Henderson like sort of tactics. There was no reason I could find (not to run him). I was talking to JP for three days and said you have got to earn your corn as you are the trainer. That was my final deciding ball was that if we take these two milers on that we will meet next season and if we can cope with them now then we can start thinking of Tingle Creek and things like that next season and I think that is what he has answered. It has been fantastic and we have a mighty strong team of horses and people.

“That (mistake down the back) was the only thing that was probably novicey about him today. It was one there he didn’t know which way to go. He had been very long at the ditch and he just didn’t quite make his mind up. To comeback from that as a novice I think that makes a man of him. Three fences later he is back on the bridle as if nothing had happened but something had happened, something quite significant in fact had happened.

“A lot of horses would have dropped themselves out after that mistake) but I think that is testament to his engine.

“Even when we are schooling I don’t let Aidan on him until he is ready to jump off and go and jump five fences then he gets off him and I put Paddy back on him.

“You have to treat him very gently. He is getting better and better and is becoming more professional but the team have done a miraculous job with him.

“Cheltenham was disappointing. I was worried when this ground was going soft as I didn’t want the chase course going soft as I do think he is a better horse on good ground. He didn’t jump as well as he could at Cheltenham, but take nothing away from the winner (El Fabiolo) who again looked fabulous at Punchestown.

“Two years ago it was Energuemene versus Shishkin. Now the next dust up is going to be El Fabiolo and Jonbon. It is one all (between them). I do (think on better ground we can get the better of him). I was mighty impressed with El Fabiolo the other day. We have proved today we can take on the best two milers. Today bar one he was excellent and he will be excellent again at Cheltenham I hope next year and there is a lot to look forward to.”

Rachael Blackmore, jockey of the runner-up Captain Guinness, commented: “He’s run another brilliant race at this level. He tries his best every time he runs and unfortunately there was just one horse who was better than him today. Hopefully he gets his day in the sun soon.”