Ante-post movers for the Cheltenham Festival

Jonbon laid down a significant Cheltenham Festival marker with his win at Ascot on Saturday and, in doing so, allayed some fears over his stamina.

The Seven Barrows inmate could be honing in on a first Festival victory in the Cotswolds next month as we look at three horses that enhanced their Cheltenham claims over the weekend.

Jonbon — Ryanair Chase @ 4/1

Bossman Jack - Turners Novices' Hurdle @ 25/1

Alexei — Champion Hurdle @ 20/1

Jonbon books Ryanair ticket with gutsy Ascot win

"He deserves one," was Nicky Henderson's assessment when questioned if Jonbon could finally snare a Cheltenham Festival victory next month after his determined defeat of Pic D'orhy in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Twice a winner of the race and a real Ascot specialist, Pic D'orhy was moving best early in the home straight but Jonbon knuckled down for Nico de Boinville and outbattled his rival in the dying embers of the 2m5f contest to secure his 12th Grade 1 victory.

In 27 starts under Rules, Jonbon has finished no worse than second and only the great Kauto Star has more Grade 1 successes over fences.

Yet, still, his CV will be missing something if he cannot add a Cheltenham win. He's now a general 4/1 shot for the Ryanair Chase, where major rivals like Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior are deemed less likely to run given their Gold Cup claims 24 hours later.

At Cheltenham in March, Jonbon has been second to Constitution Hill in the 2022 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, second to El Fabiolo in the following year's Arkle and second to Marine Nationale in last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase.

His trainer would dearly love to alter the narrative and with stamina fears addressed, a new challenge awaits.

"He deserves one," said Henderson. "He's had two big races in four weeks now but he turns around so well from his runs. I'd have thought the Ryanair would have to be his race. I can't see why you'd want to come back to two miles."

Bossman Jack advertises strong credentials in Chepstow cruise

Dan Skelton took out leading hope Kabral Du Mathan at Haydock on Saturday but the trainers' championship leader still enjoyed a good afternoon on Merseyside, securing a double with Dalston and Unexpected Party. Both winners appear set to skip Cheltenham and wait for Aintree.

On Friday, Skelton saw Bossman Jack cruise to victory in a novices' hurdle over 2m on testing ground at Chepstow under Harry Skelton.

He is now 2-3 over hurdles and improving with each start and he could be a possible dark horse for the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, a contest he is now trading at 25/1 to win and the only Cotswolds contest he holds an entry in.

Alexei team to 'roll the dice' in Champion Hurdle

Joe Tizzard admits Alexei has already trumped his expectations this season after the Greatwood Hurdle winner landed the Kingwell at Wincanton on his first try in graded company.

The Brocade Racing inmate didn't appear ideally suited to the tactical nature of the four-runner race but he did enough to see off main rival Rubaud after the final flight.

In doing so, he followed in the steps of last year's Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace, as well as Hors La Loi III (2002) and Katchit (2008), who won this Wincanton contest before securing the Champion Hurdle weeks later.

Tizzard feels that a strongly run Champion Hurdle will be more to Alexei's liking and wants to take his chance in the big race next.

"We'll have a crack at the Champion Hurdle. One thing for certain is that he'll travel into the race. Whether he's good enough, we'll find out in three and a half weeks," said the Dorset handler.

"If you'd said to us in the autumn he was going to be a Champion Hurdle horse, we were nowhere near it, but we've had a cracking season with him and we'll roll the dice."