The main story on the closing day of the 2023/24 National Hunt campaign at Sandown will be the race for the British Trainer’s Championship – although that contest has now become a Willie Mullins procession following the Scottish Grand National victory of Macdermott.
However, whilst the trainer’s title may have turned into a one-horse race, the action on the track is far more competitive. The bet365 Gold Cup is the big betting heat of the day, but the classiest contest comes around 35 minutes beforehand, as the best of the British and Irish two milers do battle in the bet365 Celebration Chase.
Always a compelling contest, the 2024 edition is particularly appetising as, at long last, the third edition of the El Fabiolo vs Jonbon battle is on the cards. The score stands at 1-1 heading into the Grade 1 event, but who will come out on top in this Britain vs Ireland clash this time?
Team GB: Jonbon
Going in the Green and Gold of JP McManus, Jonbon has landed eight of 10 starts over fences, including five Grade 1 successes. The eight-year-old also rather likes it around here, with his record at Sandown a perfect one, with wins in the 2022 Henry VIII Novices Chase, 2023 Tingle Creek Chase, and a 3¾l victory in this race last year – with Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness back in second. Bouncing back to winning ways in the Melling Chase last time out, and with his trainer Nicky Henderson back amongst the winners, connections will be optimistic of another bold showing at a track which suits him well.
Team Ireland: El Fabiolo
Yet another superstar from the Willie Mullins yard, El Fabiolo has won six of seven chase starts and is just one behind Jonbon with four Grade 1 successes. Unlike Jonbon, El Fabiolo has yet to experience Sandown and the notoriously tricky Railway Fences, but has generally proved a class above any chaser unfortunate enough to cross his path, with those four top-level victories coming by a combined 35 lengths.
However, that record counted for nothing last time in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, when an erratic display of jumping saw Paul Townend take the sensible decision to pull him up shortly after the fifth fence. If that version of El Fabiolo turns up, he has little chance, but if back on song, he is the one they all have to beat.
Rounds One and Two
The first clash came in the 2022 Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, with Jonbon coming out on top by a hard-fought neck following a hammer-and-tongs battle up the straight.
Having endured a troubled passage and been at a slight experience disadvantage at Aintree, many believed the result would be different when the pair met for a second time in the 2023 Arkle Chase. On the day, El Fabiolo’s supporters were proved right in emphatic style, as the mount of Paul Townend travelled supremely well throughout before powering 5½l clear, with Jonbon trailing in his wake.
How will things pan out in this third clash of the titans? Saturday 3pm at Sandown is the time and place to find out.
