Jonbon and Shishkin: Ruled out of the 2024 Festival

Jonbon won't run at Cheltenham on Wednesday

Cheltenham Festival news: Jonbon and Shishkin and miss Cheltenham

By Sporting Life

14:19 · WED March 13, 2024

Nicky Henderson has withdrawn Jonbon from the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Shishkin and Champ also miss their big-race engagements this week.

A cloud has been hanging over the Seven Barrows stable since superstar Constitutional Hill was taken out of the Champion Hurdle and Tuesday's evidence didn't offer much encouragement in regards to the overall well-being of the yard.

Luccia did run a huge race when third to State Man in the Champion Hurdle but Henderson's five other runners on day one were all pulled-up.

So far, his Jonbon, First Street (Coral Cup) and Kingston Pride (Champion Bumper) have been declared non-runners on Wednesday.

Henderson posted a statement on X: "I'm afraid we have had to make some very tough decisions following the very disappointing performances of all bar one of our horses yesterday. It was there for all to see that there is obviously something affecting nearly all our horses and consequently we have reluctantly decided that Jonbon, First Street and Kingston Pride will not run today.

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"It is impossible to identify any reason for all the disappointments and none of these three horses have given us any cause for concern and all yesterday's runners were scoped clean post race and I am glad to say all are sound this morning.

"There will unfortunately be further non runners on Thursday and Friday. I hope everybody will appreciate that we have to do this in everybody's interests, particularly the horses. It is very, very disappointing for everybody."

Shishkin misses Gold Cup date

He later confirmed that Shishkin hasn't been declared for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champ misses the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.

In a statement he added: "Very sadly it will not be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday. He was scoped as have all of our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he has shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn't possibly run. He appears to be 100% in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever and we really were looking forward to Friday.

"It is hoped that along with all the other non participants this week that they will be back in time for Aintree and Punchestown. Regrettably, Champ has also succumbed and will not run in tomorrow's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. The equivalent race at Aintree could be on the agenda."

Regarding Sir Gino Henderson said: “Sir Gino, at the moment, is a definite intended runner. There were rumours flying around last week that something was amiss, but there’s nothing wrong with him at all at the moment. But a day is a long time with these horses. He was great this morning, his blood and everything is good and all being well he’ll be here.”

Shishkin was the only horse from the five-day stage not declared, meaning Galopin Des Champs will face 11 rivals in his bid to land back-to-back Gold Cups and emulate a former stablemate in Al Boum Photo.

His trainer Willie Mullins also runs the lightly-raced Monkfish.

Last year’s runner-up Bravemansgame, Grand National winner Corach Rambler, King George hero Hewick and Gary Moore’s runaway Welsh National victor Nassalam all line up.

Henderson has declared ante-post JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino in a field of 14 – with Mullins responsible for half the field.

Majborough, Kargese, Storm Heart, Salvator Mundi, Highwind, Ethical Diamond and Bunting all represent National Hunt racing’s dominant force.

Mighty Bandit will have his first run for Warren Greatrex since leaving Gordon Elliott.

There are 15 in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, where Mullins runs Dancing City, Readin Tommy Wrong, Lecky Watson, High Class Hero and Spread Boss Ted.

Henderson has declared Shanagh Bob, Captain Teague will aim to give Paul Nicholls successive wins in the race, while Gidleigh Park represents Harry Fry.

There are 23 in the BetMGM County Hurdle, 11 in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, 23 in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and 12 in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase.

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