JONBON (150+) drew mixed reviews for his Warwick performance as he completed his preparation for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham next month.

On the clock, Nicky Henderson’s gelding was not required to match his previous achievements at either Sandown or over course and distance on chasing debut. However, when necessary, the seven-year-old demonstrated his trademark speed to first work his way back into the race and then to stamp his authority on the contest from the home turn.

The final circuit comparison with Messire Des Obeaux (130) shows the difference between the two winners to be 3.8secs, with the majority of the difference between them through the closing stages as the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up stopped the clock for his finishing split at 51.1secs, compared to the 54.0secs taken by Alan King’s veteran chaser.

There were also notable performances over hurdles by Theatre Glory (140+) and Hullnback (148+), while Favour And Fortune (125+) brought the card to a close with an above average time in the bumper.

Performance

The withdrawal of Love Envoi should not detract from the performance of Theatre Glory who brushed aside Molly Ollys Wishes (131) by sustaining a strong gallop in the Listed Warwick Mares’ Hurdle. In a final circuit comparison with Hullnback, she was quicker courtesy of covering the ground to the third last hurdle 2.9secs quicker than Fergal O’Brien’s novice.

The six-year-old produced a speedier finish, although in covering the ground from the third last hurdle in 56.9secs he would still have trailed the mare who was 2.6secs slower.

Favour And Fortune travelled strongly on the home turn before jockey Tom Cannon found the necessary room to launch his challenge. Once in the clear, the five-year-old quickly asserted on his way to an adjusted closing sectional of 56.8secs.

THE phrase horses for courses applies perfectly to Zanza (160+) and Newbury as the nine-year-old recorded a fifth win from six starts at the course when taking the Grade 2 Denman Chase.

In the immediate aftermath of the race the impression was the pace must have collapsed as the nine-year-old was a surprise winner.

However, when evaluating the closing stages against now dual Game Spirit Chase winner Funambule Sivola (150+), the conclusion was victory was more about the nine-year-old’s finishing speed, rather than any deficiencies in the closing effort of his opponents. In covering the ground from the cross fence in 80.3secs, he was 0.9secs quicker than Venetia Williams’s eight-year-old who completed his race in 81.2secs.

The best of the action over hurdles was the Betfair Hurdle with Aucunrisque (153) posting an all the way success for in-from trainer Chris Gordon. The final circuit supports the time figure as the seven-year-old was 3.9secs or almost 20 lengths quicker than Love Is Golden (126), despite Gary Moore’s hurdling debutant edging the closing sectionals with his finishing split of 55.2secs, compared to the handicap winner’s 55.6secs.

Cement her place

The final word this week goes to Luccia (139) who lit up Exeter’s card on Sunday to cement her place at the head of the market for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle.

Although not running to the same level as on debut at Newbury, she may well have been able to engage top gear for more than the furlong it demanded for her to secure victory.

Stable companion The Carpenter (120) was quicker from the third last, posting 34.0secs for his closing split, with the mare sauntering over the same terrain in 36.8secs.