Jonbon ready for a L'eau blow in Cheltenham chase

L'EAU Du Sud is put forward as a viable alternative to red-hot favourite Jonbon in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham.

- By ASHLEY IVESON

Jonbon has been a fantastic servant to trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus, with his Grade One tally standing at 10, but there is no doubt he is not quite at his brilliant best on the undulations of Prestbury Park.

The nine-year-old may have won this Grade Two prize in each of the past two seasons, but four of his five career defeats have come at this track and it is worth taking him on this time.

L'Eau Du Sud was a brilliant winner of the Arkle Trial at this meeting 12 months ago before going on to win the Henry VIII at Sandown and the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick. He was a closeup fourth in the Arkle itself and can be forgiven a slightly disappointing run at Aintree at the end of a long season.

While many of Henderson's horses have appeared in need of a run so far, Dan Skelton has his string in fantastic form and if L'Eau Du Sud is ever going to beat Jonbon this is the day.