PUNTERS reacted with fury as superstar horse Jonbon was apparently booed after winning a race.
The Nicky Henderson-trained chaser beat sole rival Calico in a match race at Warwick on Saturday.
The contest, Jonbon’s final prep run before a tilt at the Arkle, was reduced to just two runners after Bass Rock and Haddex Des Obeaux pulled out.
Jonbon, a £570,000 buy belonging to former Manchester United owner JP McManus, was sent off 1-16.
But he was made to work harder than many anticipated to see off his opponent rated 23lbs lower.
Although some racegoers claimed not to hear a thing, the ITV cameras appeared to pick up boos from the record 5,369-strong crowd aimed at Jonbon as he crossed the line in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.
There was similar at Cheltenham Festival last year when Delta Work denied Tiger Roll a fairytale victory in his final race.
One punter who heard the jeering on telly said: “Thought I heard it on TV, couldn’t believe it.”
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Another wrote: “Disgraceful to boo at a racecourse.”
One comment read: “You could clearly hear the boos on ITV, unbelievable!”
While another said: “Was there and people booed as he passed the finishing line, most bizarre behaviour I’ve ever witnessed at a meeting.”
However, others were eager to stress the booing – which came on a student raceday – was light-hearted and just like you get in any other sport.
One person commented: “You could hear it clear as day on the TV. But it was just a few punters that had a couple of quid on Calico, nothing serious.”
Another wrote: “Yes it was clear to make out on TV but I guess it was because people are getting a bit fed up of paying good money on a Saturday for poor fields.”
While a third said: “They cheered Calico when he took it up and booed Jonbon when he went off and won, it was nothing but lighthearted fun. If this offends you then you are an extremely sad individual.”
As it turned out, bookies also took a dim view of Jonbon’s unconvincing win.
AP McCoy himself said after watching the race the horse will not win the 2m Arkle if he runs like that again.
As a result, Willie Mullins’ Irish Arkle hero El Fabiolo was made 11-10 fav from 7-4 by Betfair, while Jonbon was pushed out to 2-1 from 11-8.
But despite his ‘rusty’ showing, punters have had nibbles of that 2-1 and Jonbon, a full brother to Douvan, is now 7-4 with the same firm.
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