Read the Timeform report of the Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle, won in impressive fashion by Jonbon
A fifth win in 11 seasons for Nicky Henderson in a Grade 2 novice with some notable names on the roll of honour, Jonbon looking every bit as exciting as such as My Drogo, Yanworth and L'Ami Serge, among the pick of the winners in that time, a class apart from his rivals, even if a crawl to the second made the early stages a bit of a farce, the race developing from the turn.
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JONBON looked every bit as good here as he had in winning his maiden at Newbury, again in a race with a silly start, but a lot to like about how he went about things once sent to the front, speed and fluent jumping keys to his performance, an ideal combination for the Supreme; close up, jumped well in main, tanked along, led second, quickened straight, pushed along briefly 2 out, in command run-in, impressive; as good a prospect as has been seen in novice hurdles this season.
COLONEL MUSTARD had had the opportunity to run to a useful level, tackling good company last spring, and had no answer to one sure to take high rank this winter; held up, effort entering straight, closing when not fluent 2 out, kept on run-in, no match for winner.
KNAPPERS HILL lost his unbeaten record, far more on here than on his previous 2 starts over hurdles and still running to a decent level, though with no obvious excuses on the day; soon steadied, pushed along home turn, second when mistake 2 out, not quicken run-in.
ELLE EST BELLE ran about as well as could have been expected, upped in grade and taking on geldings, likely that she'd have been helped by a better pace too; held up, close up 3 out, outpaced home turn, kept on again run-in; she remains with potential, back against her own sex.
I LIKE TO MOVE IT was given a poor tactical ride, quite why he wasn't sent on to make full use of his strengths hard to fathom, a test of speed no use at all; led until second, remained prominent, every chance 3 out, pushed along home turn, lost place soon after.