Jonbon ran in a couple of hurdle races like the one in the Kingmaker, i.e. not very competitive and having to make his own running and winning in an OK fashion. Back then he was winning and still getting hounded for not winning well.
He went and finished 2nd to Constitution Hill at the festival. He then finished ahead of El Fabiolo at Aintree, both could have varying degrees of excuses, but they are the facts we have. They have met once and it's 1-0 to Jonbon, at this present time I'd not be interested in excuses for either horse from that meet over hurdles.
It would be foolish to say either had not improved since then, of course.
Warwick is a flat track, and probably not ideal for Jonbon, even more so without a target to aim at.
El Fabiolo won very well, but had a target to aim for (DD).
The races were chalk and cheese IMO. One was set up for a horse to look impressive, the other, not.
I think the Arkle will suit both if DD goes off like the clappers, however you'd be hoping that neither jockey would be worried about the other and that they don't give DD too much rope otherwise they could find themselves with too much to do.
I think I'd be siding with Jonbon of the pair, for now, however, it wouldn't be a strong opinion, and I have both, plus DD backed, so I couldn't really care less. DD is the one I hope they forget about, but I can't see that happening, tbh.
