The Triumph Hurdle has been a fixture of the Cheltenham Festival since 1968, but was inaugurated in 1939 at Hurst Park, where it continued until the closure of the Surrey course in 1962. Run over two miles and a furlong on the New Course and restricted to juvenile – that is, four-year-old – hurdlers, the race is currently scheduled as the opening race on the fifth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival, Gold Cup Day. The Grade 1 contest has been sponsored by J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB) since 2002.

The most prolific jockey in the history of the Triumph Hurdle remains Barry Geraghty, who retired from the saddle in 2020, with five winners to his name. Geraghty became stable jockey to Nicky Henderson following the retirement of the previous incumbent, Mick Fitzgerald, in August 2008 and remained in that position until June 2015, when he succeeded the recently-retired Tony McCoy as retained rider to high-profile owner John Patrick ‘J.P.’ McManus.

Gergaghty rode his first Triumph Hurdle winner, Spectroscope, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, in 2003. During his time as stable jockey at Seven Barrows, he rode three more, Zaynar in 2009, Soldatino in 2010 and Peace And Co in 2015. Finally, in the famous green and gold silks of McManus, he completed his quintet of wins on Ivanovich Gorbatov, trained by Aidan O’Brien, in 2016. For the sake of completeness, it may come as no surprise to learn that Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer in the history of the Triumph Hurdle, having saddled First Bout (1985), Alone Success (1987), Katarino (1999) and Pentland Hills (2019) in addition to the three winners previously mentioned.

At various points in his career, Kieren Fallon was stable jockey to three of the most successful trainers in the history of British racing, namely Sir Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien. He rode a total of over 2,500 winners, including 16 Classic winners, and won the jockeys’ title six times, in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

However, his career was blighted by a succession of disciplinary setbacks, including repeated, lengthy bans for failed drug tests and prosecution – albeit without a conviction – for race fixing. Fallon retired in July, 2016, with Dr. Adrian McGoldrick, Chief Medical Officer to the Irish Turf Club, citing ‘severe depression’ as the principal reason for his doing so. Dr. McGoldrick added, ‘It’s an awful reflection on my own profession that it hasn’t been picked up sooner. He’s gone through three different doctors and the symptoms were never picked up.’

The incident in which Fallon pulled a fellow jockey from his horse occurred at Beverley on September 14, 1994. In the John Mangles Memorial Handicap, over an extended mile, Fallon rode Gymcrack Flyer, who weakened inside the final furlong to finish unplaced behind the winning favourite, Sailormate, who was completing a hat-trick. However, Fallon took exception to the winning jockey, Stuart Webster, grabbed him and dragged him from the saddle as he was pulling up. The pair subsequently emerged, bruised and bloody, from the weighing room to face the local stewards, who referred the original incident to Portman Square.

On June 2, 1994, Fallon had beaten Sailormate on Heart Broken, trained by Jimmy Fitzgerald, over six furlongs at Southwell, only to be disqualified and placed last after a stewards’ enquiry and an objection by the rider of the second, namely Webster. In any event, the Jockey Club took a dim view of his actions and banned him for six months for violent and improper conduct.

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, unfolding from March 11-14 across 28 races, is set to deliver drama, and the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 16:00 on Wednesday, March 12 carries a redemption arc that’s impossible to ignore—Jonbon’s at its beating heart. Nicky Henderson’s star chaser, boosted by Unibet from 4/5 to 11/10, faces a chorus of doubters after a rollercoaster festival record. In the Racing Post’s Unibet-sponsored preview, Henderson mounted a fierce defense, Nico de Boinville stoked the fire, and the panel—Tom Segal, Paul Kealy, Ed Nicholson—debated his shot at Wednesday glory. Can Jonbon, a nine-year-old with nine wins from 12 starts, finally quiet the skeptics and claim his crown?

The Cheltenham Curse: Doubts That Linger

Jonbon’s festival story is a bittersweet saga—glory tinged with grit. His 2022 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle romp—a five-length demolition over 2 miles—hinted at untouchable greatness, a British beacon under Henderson’s care. But last year’s Champion Chase flop—fifth behind El Fabiolo, trailing by 12 lengths—stung like a whip crack. “He’s got Cheltenham doubters to silence,” Ed Nicholson said, his voice carrying the weight of a punter’s lament, noting Jonbon’s “allergic reaction” to Prestbury Park’s unforgiving stage.

Paul Kealy piled on the pressure: “He’s not delivered here when it counts—last year was a wake-up call.” Yet his recent Kempton Christmas Chase romp over Matata—winning by a commanding six lengths—sparked fresh hope. Nico de Boinville called it “a statement,” his grin wide as he recalled Jonbon’s late surge. At 11/10, Unibet’s boost reflects a flicker of punter faith—but the question gnaws: can he crack the Cheltenham code over 13 fences and 2 miles? The curse lingers, a shadow he must shake.

Henderson’s Defense: A Trainer’s Unshakable Faith

Nicky Henderson isn’t hearing the noise—he’s drowning it out with conviction. “He’s not allergic to Cheltenham—rubbish,” he snapped during the preview, his tone sharp as a blade. Reeling off Jonbon’s local stats—a Grade 1 Shloer Chase win in 2022 by three lengths and a near-miss second in the 2023 Arkle, beaten a neck by El Fabiolo—Henderson built his case: “He’s been second here, won here—he’s fine.” His eight Champion Hurdle wins lend gravitas—he’s silenced doubters before.

That Kempton masterclass—beating Found A Fifty by six lengths over 2 miles 4 furlongs—bolsters the argument. “He’s in top nick—Wednesday’s his day,” Henderson declared, eyeing the Champion Chase’s 2-mile test with a glint of defiance. “There’s no chinks—he’s peaking now,” he added, brushing off last year’s stumble as a blip. Jonbon’s his mission—a redemption shot to prove the skeptics wrong, a trainer’s faith forged in fire and turf.

A Record Under Scrutiny: Form Meets Pressure

Jonbon’s resume dazzles—nine wins from 12 starts, five Grade 1s in the bag, a chaser with pace and power. But Cheltenham’s spotlight magnifies every misstep, turning brilliance into a question mark. Tom Segal hedged: “He’s class—pure class—but he’s got to prove it here, where it matters.” Kealy countered: “Kempton’s not the festival—Marine Nationale’s the threat, not Matata.” That Irish rival at 7/1 looms large, yet Jonbon’s latest run—clocking a sub-40-second final furlong—showed “no chinks,” per Henderson. Watch that form in action:

Energumene (15/2) is fading, El Fabiolo’s out of the mix—the door’s ajar, but pressure’s on. “He’s got the tools—now use them,” Nicholson mused, the stakes razor-sharp. Jonbon must seize this shot—13 fences, one chance.

The Field’s Challenge: Rivals in Waiting

Wednesday’s Champion Chase isn’t a solo act—it’s a gauntlet of raiders and rivals. Marine Nationale, Barry Connell’s unbeaten ace at 7/1, brings Irish grit—Kealy fancies him: “He’s got gears Jonbon hasn’t faced—electric pace.” Banbridge (9/1), a Joseph O’Brien hope, thrives on good ground—forecasts hint at drying turf by midweek, boosting his King George form. “He’s a stayer with speed—dangerous,” Segal said, though he’s skeptical: “Jonbon’s too quick—Marine’s untested at this level.”

Gaelic Warrior (7/1), Willie Mullins’ wildcard, and Solness (10/1) add depth—Jennings grinned, “It’s a scrum—wide open.” Nicholson’s market leans British: “Jonbon’s holding firm at 11/10—punters trust him over the Irish.” Dive into Cheltenham betting at Unibet—non-runner no bet keeps the 2-mile, 13-fence dash a punter’s playground. “He’s got to be perfect—rivals won’t wait,” Kealy warned, the field a crucible for redemption.

The Redemption Shot: Ground, Gears, and Glory

Ground could tip the scales—soft early favors Marine Nationale’s stamina, drying conditions suit Jonbon’s blistering speed. “He loves a quick surface—perfect by Wednesday,” Henderson said, banking on a forecast shift from good-to-soft to good. Nico nodded: “He’s built for it—flies when it firms.” Unibet’s 11/10 boost, part of their non-runner no bet offer, sweetens the deal—Nicholson grinned, “He’s driving turnover—punters smell a comeback.”

Segal’s on board: “He’s the one if he brings Kempton form—dominant there.” Kealy’s torn: “It’s his shot—but Marine’s gears could nick it.” The 2-mile test demands precision—13 fences, no room for error. “He’s got the class—now show the guts,” Nicholson said, the market humming with anticipation. Wednesday’s verdict hinges on Jonbon’s stride—redemption or relapse, it’s all on the line.

Silence or Surrender: The Final Fence

Will Jonbon rewrite his Cheltenham tale? Henderson’s adamant: “He’ll do it—I’d be amazed if he doesn’t.” Nico echoed: “He’s ready—doubters will eat their words, mark it.” Segal wants flair: “A win here cements him—legacy stuff.” On March 12, 16:00, 2 miles of Prestbury Park turf and 13 fences settle the score—redemption or another footnote in a bittersweet saga.

Britain’s faithful see a king reborn—Jennings mused, “He’s their hope—crowd’ll roar him home.” Ireland’s raiders see a target—Kealy countered, “Marine’s the dark horse—could spoil it.” With Unibet’s 11/10, back him now—Jonbon’s redemption shot is live. “It’s his moment—silence the noise or fade,” Segal said, torn between form and faith. Can he claim his crown and quiet the skeptics—or will Cheltenham’s curse strike again?

The 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas are the first two Classics of the British Flat racing season. Both races are run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket but, while the former is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, the latter is restricted to three-year-old fillies only. They are currently scheduled for consecutive days over the first weekend in May.

In order to find most successful jockey in the history of either race, we need to leaf through the history book a fair bit, back to a time before Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery or even Sir Gordon Richards. The leading jockey in the history of the 2,000 Guineas was, in fact, James ‘Jem’ Robinson, who was one of the finest riders in the first half of the nineteenth century. Between 1825 and 1848, Robinson won the Newmarket Classic nine times, including four years in a row between 1833 and 1836. All told, he rode 24 British Classic winners, more than anyone else except Frank Buckle (27) and Lester Piggott (30).

The most successful jockey in the history of the 1,000 Guineas – which, for the record, was established five years after the 2,000 Guineas – was another leading light of the nineteenth century, George Fordham. Fordham was perennial champion jockey between 1855 and 1863 and 14 times in all. He won the 1,000 Guineas five times between 1859 and 1869, before retiring from race riding for the first time in 1875 because of failing health due, in no small part, to heavy drinking. However, after a four-year hiatus, he was coaxed out of retirement by influential owner Sir George Chetwynd and went on to win the fillies’ Classic twice more, in 1881 and 1883, before hanging up his boots for the second and final time in 1884.