A thrilling showdown unfolded at Cheltenham, where L'Eau du Sud emerged victorious over the favored Jonbon in the Shloer Chase. The race, held in challenging weather conditions, witnessed an intense battle between these two contenders and Matata. Despite the howling wind and rain, none of the horses could find respite, with the trio engaging in a relentless contest.
While it seemed like a race for the front-runners, Libberty Hunter's early fall and Edwardstone's lack of involvement opened the door for a potential comeback. However, Harry Skelton, riding the eventual winner, L'Eau du Sud, ensured a relentless pace, leaving Jonbon struggling to keep up.
As they approached the final stretch, Skelton glanced back, realizing the significant gap between himself and Jonbon. L'Eau du Sud, under Skelton's guidance, cruised home, leaving Matata and JJ Slevin to battle for second place. Despite Slevin's valiant effort, Jonbon maintained his impressive record of always finishing in the top two, albeit 15 lengths behind the winner.
Dan Skelton, speaking after the race, attributed L'Eau du Sud's performance to the challenging conditions, but also acknowledged the horse's improvement. He expressed regret for running the horse in the Kingmaker before the Arkle, believing it affected his performance at Cheltenham.
Skelton further emphasized the importance of learning through racing, especially for novices, and suggested that Jonbon's age might be a factor in his recent performance. He hinted at a potential different approach for Jonbon in future races, especially at Sandown, where he believes the horse will showcase a renewed vigor.
And here's where it gets interesting: Skelton admits that an underperformance from Jonbon was necessary for L'Eau du Sud's victory. He believes Jonbon, despite his age, will return stronger, leaving us with the question: Can Jonbon reclaim his dominance, or has L'Eau du Sud emerged as a new force to be reckoned with?
Join the discussion in the comments and share your thoughts on this exciting race and the future prospects of these talented horses!
