Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers service: Is Jonbon a worthy short-priced favourite for the Arkle?

Jonbon won the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December. He is currently a short-priced favourite for the Arkle Chase in March. He was a few lengths quicker from the water jump to the line than the Tingle Creek Chase winner Greaneteen. It is important to recognise that time comparisons are just one variable amongst many and should not be taken in isolation. The 2021 Henry VII winner Edwardstone was much quicker than Greanshite. Jonbon's success has been attributed to his smaller-field racing.

Jonbon won the Grade Two Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle at Haydock in January 2022. He was runner-up 22 lengths behind his stable mate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Huddle in Cheltenham Festival. On his final start in novice hurdle campaign, Jonbon narrowly beat El Fabiolo at Aintree in April. He is a good hurdler but not a great one. If Champion Hoddle favourite Honeysuckle does something similar to Honesuckle in March, it might change the quality of Jon Bon's runner up finish in Supreme.

Jonbon was a long way behind Constitution Hill in novice hurdle season. Nicky Henderson trained Altior and Shishkin to win the Arkle in recent years. Jonbon will compete in two small-field races in the run-up to March. He is likely to be a short-priced favourite for the race. Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers service: Is Jon Bon a worthy short price favourite to take part in Arkles Chase?

Jonbon is in the Arkle betting after El Fabiolo. The next three horses after Jonbon are all Irish-trained. Sir Gerhard and Appreciate It were both Grade One novice hurdle winners at the Cheltenham Festival. They are trained by Willie Mullins. They all have entries in same races on Boxing Day.