YOU would be hard pressed to find so many differing opinions on a race in which the favourite won in decisive fashion as last week’s Grade 2 Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase won by the then Arkle favourite Jonbon.

He had been absent since an impressive win in the Grade 1 Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices’ Chase on December 3rd.

In a two-horse race, he beat his opponent who was rated 23lb inferior, by five and a half lengths.

He had been crusing along, jumping well, before he was caught by surprise by Harry Skelton making a bid for victory four fences from home on Calico. He then had to quicken, take two fences flat out, accelerate round a sharp bend and take two more at speed. This he did without error, though some criticised his shifting right at his fences.

In the aftermath Nicky Henderson said the horse was blowing for some time. Aidan Coleman was happy with the performance but he lost Cheltenham favouritism to the Leopardstown Arkle winner El Fabiolo.

There’s no doubt the Mullins horse’s impressive win from Banbridge, Appreciate It and Dysart Dynamo amounts to much more on ratings and those behind Jonbon on his two wins have not boosted the form.

Also to consider is that Jonbon’s jumping, vital in an Arkle, has been much better in his three wins. And the time figures gave him much credit for his Sandown effort.

In last year’s Supreme, Dysart Dynamo looked to be coming to the end of his tether when he fell three out. How he performs this year will be a key, how much effort will his pursuers need to expend so as not give him too much rope?

For me, Jonbon is now value at 7/4. There was a neck between the two at Aintree last year and each have an ‘excuse’. Jonbon was having his fifth run of the season and had raced at Cheltenham, El Fabiolo was stepping up to a Grade 1 from a Tramore maiden. El Fabiolo had time to overcome his jumping errors in Leopardstown, he may not have so much over the last mile in Cheltenham where the fences come up fast off a fast gallop.

Stayers’ conundrum

On the Irish scene, the principal action was in the Stayers’ Hurdle market. For a horse who was 50-50 to make Cheltenham three weeks ago, Blazing Khal stripped fit and well.

Given that he had only three previous hurdle outings, he jumped and travelled perfectly and dismissed his, admittedly not Grade 1, opposition comfortably.

In an open race, he still has to step up but you can’t fault what he has done.

Also on the mend and looking like making the Festival is Flooring Porter, now reported “70-30” likely to make Cheltenham by trainer Gavin Cromwell.

He makes the race as he has only one way of running and it will suit horses that need a strong gallop, like Paisley Park and probably the Byrnes favourite.

Ground is the key to second favourite Teahupoo who would likely drift in the week if it wasn’t on the soft side and it’s hard to put a figure on French challenger Gold Tweet. Marie’s Rock is also a ‘possible’ and even with the mares’ allowance coming into the reckoning, I’m not sure I’d be attracted to the 4/1 for one yet unproven at the distance.

I’d also keep an eye on reports of Buzz coming back. Sidelined with a fractured pelvis after he looked an upwardly mobile horse in winning an Ascot Grade 2 over two miles four, the current 16s don’t give much away but he’s unlikely to shorten as he may turn up without a run.

Remember Penhill, a similarly classy flat horse, won it on his first run of the season in 2018 and you can be sure that Henderson is able if needed, to get him ready from home.