All Eyes on the Golden Boy: Is Jonbon Ready for the Big Screen?
Pull up a chair and pour a glass of something fizzy, darlings. The gates at Seven Barrows are swinging wide, and if you listen closely, you can hear the rhythmic thud of hooves and the gentle sigh of Nicky Henderson as he plots the next move for the yard’s most handsome leading man.
That’s right, we’re talking about Jonbon.
If Seven Barrows is a long-running soap opera, Jonbon is the charismatic star who insists on doing his own stunts but occasionally has a “diva” moment in the parade ring. He’s got the pedigree, the physique, and that flashy white blaze that says, “I’m here, and I know I look good.
The Plot So Far…
We’ve watched him grow from “Douvan’s little brother” into a powerhouse in his own right. Last season was a rollercoaster of emotions, high-stakes drama at Sandown, a few nervous moments in the mud, and that relentless, “catch-me-if-you-can” cruising speed that leaves rivals gasping for air.
But in the world of Henderson, the script is never simple. There’s always a twist. Will he stick to the two-mile script where he’s the undisputed king of speed? Or will the writers (Nicky and JP McManus) decide he’s ready for a “character pivot” over longer distances?
Silks & Shenanigans: The Backstage Gossip
- The Look: Spotless. If there was an Oscar for “Best Turned Out,” Jonbon would have a shelf full. He carries those iconic green and gold hoops with the swagger of a runway model.
- The Temperament: High-strung or just highly motivated? He’s been known to get a bit “bouncy” before the off. It’s not nerves, darling, it’s star power.
- The Rivalry: Every hero needs a villain (or at least a very talented foil). Whether he’s staring down the Irish battalions or fending off the young pretenders at home, Jonbon doesn’t just want to win; he wants to dominate the frame.
“He’s a bit like a Ferrari in a school zone, he just wants to go, and sometimes you just have to let him find his own gear.”
The Clarence House Cliffhanger: A Saturday Stunner! đźŽđźŹ‡
Hold onto your fascinators, darlings, because yesterday’s performance at Ascot was pure, unadulterated soap opera gold. If you thought the drama was reserved for the track, you clearly haven’t been following the backstage rider shuffle that had the Seven Barrows camp in a tizzy!
The Last-Minute Leading Man
The script was written for Harry Cobden to make his grand debut in the JP McManus green and gold. But in a twist worthy of a season finale, a tumble in an earlier race left Harry in the medical room and the “Golden Boy” without a pilot just thirty minutes before the off.
Enter the “Super-Sub,” James Bowen. With regular rider Nico de Boinville busy making headlines at Haydock with Old Park Star, James stepped into the spotlight with the cool composure of a veteran.
The Performance: Grit, Glory, and a Dash of Fear
It wasn’t the usual “cruising on the bridle” show we’ve come to expect. Jonbon had to dig deeper than a tabloid reporter at a royal wedding.
- The Rivalry: Dan Skelton’s Thistle Ask played the perfect antagonist, setting a blistering, end-to-end gallop that had everyone, including Nicky, holding their breath.
- The Scare: Three out, it looked like the star might be losing his shine. Henderson himself admitted he thought the legendary “never out of the first two” record was finally going to snap.
- The Climax: But legends aren’t made of fluff, sweeties! Jonbon’s “older legs” found a second wind. While the 2/5 favorite Il Etait Temps took a dramatic, tired tumble (thankfully he’s up and fine!), Jonbon stayed on like a lion to reel in Thistle Ask and secure back-to-back Clarence House Chase titles.
“I was terrified he’d lose his record, let alone win,” Nicky confessed post-race. “He’s not as fast as he was, but the stamina kicks in. He’s a brave boy.”
The Post-Race Whispers
With a tenth Grade 1 now in the trophy cabinet, the “Seven Barrows Drama” shifts to the Cheltenham Festival script. Does he stick to the Champion Chase path where the young guns are waiting, or does Nicky finally give in to the “stamina” storyline and try him over further?
One thing is certain: Jonbon is no longer just the “expensive brother” of Douvan. He’s the undisputed veteran star of the stable, still capable of delivering a box-office performance when the chips are down.
What’s in the Script for 2026?
The rumors are swirling around the gallops. The whispers suggest he’s bigger, stronger, and perhaps a little more settled. But this is Seven Barrows, where the drama is part of the charm. One missed schooling session and the “will-he-won’t-he” headlines start all over again.
We’re all waiting for that first big appearance of the season. Will it be a masterclass in jumping, or will the “shenanigans” of a tactical race keep us on the edge of our seats? One thing is for sure: when Jonbon is on the card, you don’t change the channel.
Silks and Shenanigans 