Jonbon
Nicky Henderson's stable star has been a regular in the competition since 2021/22, racking up 82.31 points in that season, 150.79 in 2022/23, 154.03 in 2023/24 before finally coming out on top this season with a total of 228.9.
The biggest surprise was that Jonbon was a single pick for Steve this season having been abandoned by Martin. It played a part in Steve ultimately taking the title.
Jonbon's season started in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on the opening day of the competition. A one and a half length win at 1/3F was good for 42.68 points.
The Tingle Creek at Sandown was next and the 8/13F overcame the heavy ground under Nico De Boinville to run out an eight length winner and earn Steve another 53.24 points.
That points haul was exactly repeated at Ascot in January in the Clarence House. It was a comfortable win by six and a half lengths with Energumene the nearest challenger.
The first blemish of the season came in the Champion Chase at the Festival. A shocking jumping error cost the odds-on favourite any chance of getting involved in the finish and it was an 18 lengths second to Marine Nationale in the end. A bonus race still earned Steve 26.4 points.
Jonbon returned to winning ways at Aintree in the Melling Chase. Leading after the eighth the horse eased clear to deliver another 53.34 points to Steve's total. The season ended at Sandown with a defeat to Il Etait Temps but Jonbon had already done enough to etch his name onto the Roll of Honour.
The top three:
228.9 - Jonbon (42.68 + 53.24 + 53.24 + 26.4 + 53.34)
193.0 - Golden Ace (44.4 + 148.6)
161.0 - Lossiemouth (53.16 + 53.34 + 54.5)
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