A Grade 1 Gem at Yorkshire's Finest
Right, settle in with your pint because we've got ourselves a proper Grade 1 belter at Ripon this Saturday. The bet365 Celebration Chase might not have the history of Cheltenham's big guns, but with £175,000 on the table and a field stuffed with talent, this is shaping up to be one hell of a contest.
Seven runners have declared for this 1m 7f 99y test, and by God, what a septet it is. From the evergreen warrior Edwardstone to the mercurial talent of Jonbon, this race has all the ingredients for a classic. The going is sitting pretty at Good with patches of Good to Firm - exactly what you'd want for a race of this calibre.
The Magnificent Seven: Contender Analysis
Jonbon - The Class Act
Let's start with the elephant in the room, shall we? Jonbon rocks up here with a rating of 165 and Nico de Boinville in the saddle for Nicky Henderson. This lad has been dancing around the top table for years now, and when he's on song, he's virtually unbeatable at this level.
The Henderson yard has been purring like a well-tuned Ferrari lately, and Jonbon's course form at Ripon reads like a love letter. He's won here twice before, and that experience over these unique undulations could prove crucial. At 10 years old, he's bang in his prime for a chaser, and the Good ground will suit him down to the ground.
Solness - The Irish Raider
Now here's where it gets interesting. Solness carries the same lofty rating of 165 and represents the Joseph O'Brien stable with J.J. Slevin doing the steering. This eight-year-old has been a revelation over fences, and his progressive profile suggests there might be more improvement to come.
The Irish have a habit of targeting these big English prizes with surgical precision, and O'Brien doesn't ship horses across the Irish Sea for the craic. Solness has that touch of class that marks out the very best, and at eight, he's arguably still on the upgrade.
Thistle Ask - The Skelton Speedster
Dan Skelton's Thistle Ask brings a rating of 160 to the party, with Harry Skelton aboard. This nine-year-old has been knocking on the door of a big prize for some time now, and the Skelton team have been in cracking form this season.
The headgear combination of hood and tongue-tie suggests they're pulling out all the stops to get this lad's mind focused. When Thistle Ask is in the zone, he's got gears that most of this field can only dream about.
JPR One - The Tizzard Warrior
Joe Tizzard's JPR One might be flying under the radar slightly with Brendan Powell taking the ride, but don't let that fool you. This nine-year-old carries a rating of 159 and has been thereabouts in some quality contests.
The Tizzard stable knows how to get one ready for the big day, and JPR One's consistency record suggests he'll give a good account of himself. He might lack the star quality of some of these, but he's as honest as the day is long.
Edwardstone - The Veteran Campaigner
At 12 years old, Edwardstone is the granddad of this field, but what a granddad he is. Tom Cannon takes the ride for Alan King, and this old warrior still carries a hefty rating of 150.
He's won at Ripon before, knows the track like the back of his hoof, and has that invaluable experience that money can't buy. Don't write him off just because he's got a few miles on the clock.
Going Conditions and Tactical Considerations
The Good to Good to Firm going (90/10 ratio) is absolutely bang-on for a contest of this nature. It'll allow the speedier types to show their class while still providing enough dig for the stayers to get involved late.
With seven runners, we're not looking at a cavalry charge, but there should be enough pace to set up a proper test. Ripon's unique layout - those undulating bends and the stiff climb to the finish - will sort the wheat from the chaff in the final furlong.
Value Picks and Potential Dangers
While the market will likely revolve around Jonbon and Solness, I'm keeping a keen eye on Mirabad for Dan Skelton. This seven-year-old might be the forgotten horse in the betting, but he's got a progressive profile and Tristan Durrell has been riding with real confidence lately.
The danger horse? It has to be Thistle Ask. The Skelton team have been targeting this race for weeks, and when they get one primed for a big day, they're lethal. His recent work reports have been nothing short of spectacular.
Who is the favourite for the bet365 Celebration Chase?
Jonbon will likely start as the market leader, and rightly so. His class, course form, and Henderson's training prowess make him the logical choice for punters. However, at likely odds-on, the value might lie elsewhere in this competitive field.
Which horse offers the best value in this Grade 1 contest?
Solness represents cracking each-way value if the market underestimates the Irish challenge. Joseph O'Brien's raiders often arrive under the radar but fully tuned for these big English prizes. At likely odds of 4/1 or bigger, he's worth serious consideration.
How important is course form at Ripon?
Ripon's unique undulating track can catch horses cold, making previous course experience invaluable. Jonbon, Edwardstone, and Brookie all boast course-winning form, giving them a significant tactical advantage over the Ripon newcomers in this field.
The Verdict: Where the Smart Money Goes
Right, here's where I nail my colours to the mast. While Jonbon has all the credentials and will likely start favourite, I'm siding with Solness for the win. The Irish raider has that progressive profile that screams 'big race winner', and the O'Brien stable's record in these cross-channel raids is formidable.
For the each-way punters, Mirabad at likely big odds could be the steal of the day. The Skelton yard have been bullish about his chances, and seven-year-olds often find that extra gear when it matters most.
This promises to be a cracking renewal of what's fast becoming one of the season's most competitive Grade 1s. The Ripon racecard is stuffed with quality from top to bottom, but this Celebration Chase is the crown jewel. Don't miss it - it's going to be some race!
