2.10 1m. 7f. 199yds. 9 Declared. Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £175,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €98,472.00 2nd - €37,100.00 3rd - €18,568.00 4th - €9,275.00 5th - €4,655.00 6th - €2,328.00 7th - €1,155.00 8th - €595.00
Formscan - Jonbon arrives with an unbeaten record over fences and bids to give his trainer a record eighth victory in the contest. His sole defeat over obstacles came at the hands of stable companion, and an unstoppable force, in Constitution Hill in the Supreme 12 months ago before showing a different side to him when showing real battling qualities against EL FABIOLO at Aintree. A smooth winner on both his chasing debut at Warwick and the Henry VIII at Sandown, the seven-year-old was given a fright by an inferior rival in the Kingmaker and although expected to be a lot sharper on this occasion, the rival he defeated at Aintree is taken to reverse the form. The effort produced over hurdles at Aintree was excellent, considering his lack of experience, and he comes here with the best piece of form over fences, having landed a strong running of the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown. The most impressive part of that effort was his ability to recover from a bad mistake at the fourth-last fence and with Dysart Dynamo, who finished fourth in that event, expected to make this a similar test, the six-year-old can maintain his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles. Saint Roi, who unseated behind the selection at the Dublin Racing Festival, will potentially be ridden to pick up the pieces and isn't one to discount lightly, especially with his past form at this meeting being a County Hurdle winner and having placed in last year's Champion Hurdle.