Jonbon's Aintree win ends 'two months of hell'

Jonbon completed a treble for owner JP McManus on day two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.

The win in the Melling Chase came after earlier victories for Inothewayurthinkin and Mystical Power.

Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson, had been withdrawn from last month's Cheltenham Festival amid concerns over the stable's form.

"It has been two months of hell," jockey Nico de Boinville told ITV Racing.

"We have had to sit and suffer but I'm delighted the yard have bounced back to something this week."

Jonbon had been a leading fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase but was one of several Henderson runners who were pulled out of Cheltenham after a disappointing start to the meeting for the Seven Barrows trainer.

But the 11-10 chance, running over two and a half miles for the first time, got the better of his rivals to follow stable-mate Sir Gino's victory on the opening day of the Liverpool meeting.

Conflated had led taking the second-last but Jonbon rallied and edged ahead at the last and although Conflated and Protektorat tried to chase him down, he held on.

"He had to be brave," said De Boinville. "He jumped great, apart from the last. He is a classy animal and very versatile."

Jonbon has been the mount of Aidan Coleman in recent seasons. De Boinville stepped in after Coleman sustained what proved to be a career-ending knee injury last June.

De Boinville added: "I'd like to give a special mention to Aidan because it would have been his ride this season. I wish him all the best in his retirement."

More to follow.