All eyes will be on Jonbon this Saturday as Nicky Henderson’s star chaser bids to win back his Celebration Chase title – having won the pot in 2023 and 2024 but lost out to Il Etait Temps in the Sandown race last season.
He was also last seen being slammed in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – so can the 10 year-old get back to winning ways at his beloved Sandown?
Jonbon Puts Remarkable ‘Top Two’ Record On The Line Again
Jonbon will head to Sandown freshened up after missing Aintree and will once again put his remarkable record of NEVER being out of the top 2 (28 races) on the line.
Winning 20 of this starts and grabbing silver in the other eight.
The 10 year-old is also back to Sandown – a track he’s won 33% of his 15 chase starts at (5) and will be hunting a 13th Grade One race over the sticks in the ITV Racing contest this weekend.
While his trainer Nicky Henderson has landed this race seven times in the past.
And Hendo needs just one more to be the winning-most trainer in the race, with his old rival Paul Nicholls also locked on seven.
But could it be unlucky 13 for the JP McManus chaser, who has also won Saturday’s Celebration Chase twice in the past?
For many it will be the heart says ‘yes’ – but the head says ‘no.
Three Factors That Might See Jonbon Come Up Short In Celebration Chase
Trip Advisor
First up is the distance.
Yes, of course, Jonbon has won many times over 2 miles and, as we know he’s also won the Celebration Chase twice before.
However, his advancing years are suggesting that running over the minimum trip is starting to impact him.
He landed the Clarence House Chase over 2m 1f back in January, but that came on soft ground.
But his recent runs over 1m 7 1/2f or 2m read 2-2-2-2.
The last time he won over 2m was the 2024 Tingle Creek Chase (9 races ago).
Jonbon is also going to face two well-known front-runners in Solness and Thistle Ask.
Who, yes, could set things up for him to collar them late on – but there’s also a chance on the quicker ground the pair could be out of range turning for home.
Don’t forget Jonbon only just managed to run down Thistle Ask in the Clarence House earlier this season – but that was over 2m 1f on more testing conditions.
Age Concern
Next up is Jonbon’s age – 10.
Now, he’s not quite ready for the old people’s home just yet, but in just over 6 months he’ll be turning 11.
He’s had a top career – winning 20 of his 28 races and amassing a staggering £1.7m in total prize money.
But there are some signs his age might just be catching up with him – despite winning two more Grade One races this season.
We have seen 10 year-olds win the Celebration Chase in recent times (Sprinter Sacre, 2016), but since the race was first run in 2001 – there’s only been two.
Cenkos in 2004 being the other double-figure aged winner of the Sandown race.
The last five winners were aged 7 or 8 – while 19 of the last 20 winners were aged 9 or younger.
Track Attack
Finally, it’s the track.
Okay, this might sound odd as Jonbon has won FIVE times here at Sandown.
So, yes, it’s a venue he clearly loves, acts well at and is a much better horse at.
But for those looking to cling to one final thing to take Jonbon on with – might still look to the track.
Why?
Mainly as Jonbon will head to the 2026 Celebration Chase having LOST in his last two trips to the Esher course.
Finishing second in the Tingle Creek Chase this season and was also runner-up in this race 12 months ago.
His last win here remains the 2024 Tingle Creek Chase.
Of course, both those defeats came at the hands of the subsequent Champion Chase winner Il Etait Temps.
Meaning – if we are being realistic – this final ‘mini-negative’ probably has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Summary
Overall, it’s a fascinating renewal of the Celebration Chase and full mark to the Joseph O’Brien yard for making it a bit better by bringing over Solness.
There will be many backers of Jonbon. After all, he’s won the race twice in the past and is a five-time Sandown winner.
While his trainer Nicky Henderson has also said he’s been working well at home after being freshened up by missing Aintree.
But there will be others saying his age is starting to catch up with him and we’ve only seen two 10 year-old Celebration Chase winners since the race was first run in 2001.
So, regardless of which side of the Jonbon fence you are falling – we can all join in the Sandown ‘Celebrations’ on what should be a fabulous Jumps Finale card on Saturday.
WATCH: Jonbon Finishing Second To Il Etait Temps In The 2025 Celebration Chase at Sandown
When Is The bet365 Celebration Chase 2026?
📅 Date: Saturday, 25th April 2026
⌚ Time: 2:55pm
🏇 Racecourse: Sandown
🔄 Trip: 1m 7 1/2f
💷 Winner: £99,663
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Racing TV
See Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Saturday tips and stats here – including his bet365 Celebration Chase best bets.
Celebration Chase Betting Odds
- Jonbon – 6/4
- Thistle Ask – 15/8
- Solness – 4/1
- JPR One – 8/1
- Edwardstone – 8/1
- Mirabad – 12/1
- Brookie – 33/1
Celebration Chase Winners (Last 10 Years)
- 2025 – Il Etait Temps (9/2)
- 2024 – Jonbon 15/8
- 2023 – Jonbon 8/13 fav
- 2022 – Greaneteen (11/8 fav)
- 2021 – Greaneteen (13/2)
- 2020 – No Race
- 2019 – Altior (1/6 fav)
- 2018 – Altior (2/11 fav)
- 2017 – Altior (30/100 fav)
- 2016 – Sprinter Sacre (11/10)
WATCH: Jonbon Winning The Celebration Chase at Sandown
