Jonbon is Creek choice

NICKY Henderson has a huge afternoon in prospect at Sandown – with three of his stable stars declared for Grade One assignments at the Esher track.

Shishkin lines up in the Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle, but the race is really about stablemate Constitution Hill, who is impossible to oppose.

He will be long odds on, as befits a horse who dominated the two-mile division last term and has shown an aptitude for the kind of deep ground he will face here when winning the Tolworth as a novice in January 2022.

Jonbon is similarly difficult to look past in the Betfair Tingle Creek

Chase, although conditions might not be his optimum.

The only blemish on his novice chasing season came when second to El Fabiolo in Cheltenham’s Arkle, but he made amends with Maghull glory at Aintree before a successful leap to open company in the Grade One Celebration Chase at this track at the end of the campaign.

Henderson gave him a spin out at Cheltenham last month and Jonbon duly came home a comfortable ninelength winner over the reopposing Edwardstone, with little to suggest that form will be turned around here.

Willmount is another contender for the Seven Barrows team in the opening Betfair Claremont Novices’ Hurdle. Winner of two bumpers when trained by Neil Mulholland, Willmount hacked up by 13 lengths on his hurdles bow at Newbury when he looked a smart prospect.

The Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase is the third Grade One on the card and it is Jamie Snowden’s Colonel Harry who takes the eye.

Grade Two placed over hurdles, he made a seamless switch to fences at Chepstow when Tolworth conqueror Tahmuras trailed home last of three.

While the favourite was below par that day, Colonel Harry sealed victory over Out Of Office with a perfect leap at the last, looking reasonable value for the official margin of two and a half lengths. This is a huge leap in level, but Colonel Harry looks sure to be a better chaser than hurdler.

The Grand National fences are in play at Aintree, with the Becher Handicap Chase the highlight.

Highland Hunter has yet to have a spin over them, but he arrives on the back of a fine prep run at Kelso.

David Davies/PA > Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon won at Cheltenham’s November Meeting