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Jonbon broke the heart of Pic D’Orhy on Valentine’s Day to win a thrilling Ascot Chase and clinch a 12th Grade One victory. <\/b><\/p>\n
The Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon was pushed all the way by 2024 and 2025 winner Pic D’Orhy, with the pair jumping the final flight together.<\/p>\n
Harry Cobden looked capable of driving 5-2 chance Pic D’Orhy to a third consecutive victory, but Nico de Boinville pulled out all the stops on the 4-9 favourite to win by a length and a half.<\/p>\n
Only two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star (16) has more Grade One victories than Jonbon over fences.<\/p>\n
“You have got to be very brave to do what he did today because it was only four weeks ago that he was in another big battle here [in winning the Clarence House Chase<\/a>],” said Henderson.<\/p>\n “You would like to think that he could win one [at next month’s Cheltenham Festival] because he deserves one, doesn’t he?” <\/p>\n Jonbon and Pic D’Orhy were a class apart in the six-strong field, with Blow Your Wad (33-1) coming home 14 lengths back in third.<\/p>\n Pic D’Orhy’s trainer Paul Nicholls said he was thrilled with the performance, calling it “one of his best ever races” despite the result.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Grand Geste produced a strong late run to win the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock. <\/p>\n Jockey Danny McMenamin held back the Sue Smith-trained grey until the closing stages, hitting the front after the final fence before going on to win by just under two lengths at 13-2.<\/p>\n Victory comes with a potential \u00a3500,000 bonus should Grand Geste go on to win this year’s Grand National at Aintree.<\/p>\n Top of the Bill (22-1) was second ahead of Neo King (16-1) and Deafening Silence (7-1), while heavily-backed favourite Myretown (3-1) made all the early running but was pulled up after fading badly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n