'Superstar' Jonbon wins Melling Chase at Aintree
Odds-on favourite Jonbon won the Melling Chase on day two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree. The nine-year-old, who was 4-6 favourite, was part of a front three initially before jockey Nico de Boinville settled him in behind.He took over on the second circuit and went clear before being pushed out by De Boinville to win by three and a quarter lengths from Protektorat.It is some compensation for Jonbon, who finished second, after a shuddering mistake, when odds-on favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival last month. "There was really [an awful lot riding on that]," De Boinville told ITV. "Jonbon gets us out of trouble again."You would have said it's been a tough week but all the credit to the staff and particularly the governor [trainer Nicky Henderson], [owner] JP McManus and his team. "They've kept the faith in us - we had to pick ourselves up after yesterday [with Constitution Hill] and thankfully I've got really nice horses to ride like Jonbon here. He is an absolute superstar."He was a very different horse to the one I rode at Cheltenham - he really enjoyed it out there today. You can see when he's right and on song he loves his jumping."Racing and all sport is tough and place to be in and you've just got to roll with the punches and when you're on the floor you've just got to pick yourself up again. It's like that famous Rocky saying 'you've got to get up and keep moving forward' and what's we try and do."It is Jonbon's second win in the Melling Chase, which is a step up in trip to 2m 3f 200y. Matata finished third, while the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo fell on the second circuit.
Willie Mullins claimed his fifth Grade One win of the meeting when Paul Townend steered 7-2 shot Salvator Mundi to victory in the TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle. Townend told ITV that they had an "incredible team" after he secured his fourth Grade One win across the opening two days of the meeting. Another smart front-running ride from Harry Cobden saw Caldwell Potter back up his Cheltenham Festival win in the Grade One Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase.Cobden sent the Paul Nicholls-trained 11-4 favourite to the front from the off and led all the way through the 3m 210y race.Victory in the race was worth £71,504 and sees the seven-year-old recoup more of his record-breaking 740,000 euros fee. Similar tactics from Jonjo O'Neill Jr saw 14-1 shot Wellington Arch claim the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. The three-day meeting concludes on Saturday, with the 177th running of the Grand National the feature race at 16:00 BST.
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Wales Online
4 hours ago
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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Former trainer Peter Easterby dies aged 95
He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. Everyone at Great British Racing is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary trainer, Peter Easterby, at the age of 95. The pioneer of one of British Racing's great dynasties, his pursuit of excellence will no doubt be continued by the generations to follow. Our thoughts… — Great British Racing (@GBRacing) June 9, 2025 'He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. 'A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather.' Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Jonjo O'Neill with Alverton in the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham (PA) Easterby sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. 'We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together – you could say we were a good partnership,' said O'Neill. 'He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse – their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. 'It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. 'He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes.' O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: 'I saw Tim (Easterby) last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. Sea Pigeon and John Francome winning the Champion Hurdle (PA) 'It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it – he was a charming man.' Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: 'Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. 'Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. 'I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. 'He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way.' Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: 'Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities.'
