El Fabiolo had enough to overcome Jonbon to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices Chase, and jockey Paul Townend was happy with his overall performance in the second race of the Cheltenham Festival.
After the race, the Irish jockey explained to ITV Racing his happiness with the timing of the final push, he said: “To be honest he went dead underneath me but he came alive at the right time.
“[He has a] Huge engine, and is improving the whole time. A bit clumsy I suppose but he knows where his feet are at the back of the jump so you can trust him a bit.”
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Townend went on to add how much El Fabiolo is improving throughout the season, ending with: “I kind of thought going to Aintree, that was his best ride, it was a huge ask for him.
“The engine has always been there and I think as he matures and gets stronger, he can go out and chase.”
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