Jonbon wins second straight Melling Chase as El Fabiolo takes another tumble 4h2415

Jonbon cruised to victory in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at the Aintree Grand National Festival to get back on track after a disappointing defeat at Cheltenham.

Sent off the 4/6 favourite, Jonbon sat handily behind Matata and Protektorat who simply couldn’t lay up with the winner once they went up a gear.

Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo looked outpaced from the go after the leaders set blistering fractions to start but he started to inch closer before hitting the deck at the ditch down the back side.

The former Arkle winner has taken a rapid decline from being pulled up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last year, losing five straight races including two falls.

Jonbon broke hearts when a disastrous round of jumping cost him a first Cheltenham Festival win last month but rest assured he puts his best foot forward at any other track in the country.

The nine-year-old has won 15 of 15 races away from Prestbury Park, four of which have come at the Merseyside venue – totalling ten Grade 1 titles across his career.

WATCH: Jonbon wins a second straight Melling Chase at Aintree t6fb

Jonbon – what a horse 👏

10 Grade 1 triumphs
4 from 4 at Aintree
15 from 15 away from Cheltenham @sevenbarrows | @NdeBoinville pic.twitter.com/Rl8CU517ul

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 4, 2025

Jonbon extended his head-to-head lead against El Fabiolo to 3-1 with victory, following successes on this card in 2022 in the Top Novices’ Hurdle and the 2024 Celebration Chase at Sandown.

The JP McManus-owned star took his career earnings to over £1 million earlier this season but that elusive Cheltenham Festival crown is still integral to his place among the all-time greats.

From 22 runs, Jonbon has won 18 times and he has never finished out of the front two. It seems logical to give him one final crack at HQ glory next year to try and break the curse.