Star Attraction Jonbon Returns for Cheltenham Showdown
The first day of the highly anticipated November meeting at Cheltenham on Friday is set to be dominated by the return of the superstar chaser, Jonbon. The Nicky Henderson-trained ten-time Grade 1 winner is the star attraction in the Shloer Chase, aiming for a remarkable third consecutive victory in the race.
With ITV Racing broadcasting four races from the meeting, all eyes will be on the 2.55pm contest. Despite a few blemishes on his Cheltenham record, it's noteworthy that three of his four defeats at the track occurred at the prestigious Festival meeting, where he still managed to finish second on each of those occasions. His class is expected to prevail as he makes his seasonal comeback.
Newsboy's Expert Selections for Cheltenham
Racing expert Newsboy has delivered his tips for the day's key contests, factoring in the forecast heavy rain. In the Veterans' Chase at 1.45pm, Can You Call is tipped to capitalise on a slight drop in the weights. The booking of jockey Brian Hughes is seen as a significant and positive move for his chances.
The NAP selection of the day, indicating the strongest tip, is Double Powerful in the 2.20pm novices' chase. This horse was a six-time winner over hurdles and showed considerable promise with a solid effort over the course last month, suggesting he is ready to open his account over the larger fences.
Completing the Card with a Smart Hurdler
To round off the ITV coverage, Heads Up is the pick for the Grade 2 novices' hurdle at 3.30pm. This horse already boasts excellent form, having finished as the runner-up in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March and securing a victory over obstacles in September, marking him as a very smart prospect.
The stage is set for a thrilling opening day at Cheltenham, with Jonbon's quest for a Shloer Chase hat-trick headlining a card full of quality jumps action.
