Jango Baie Secures Victory in the Racing Welfare Bowl

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie achieved a triumphant win at Aintree, taking full advantage of a fall from Impaire Et Passe in the Racing Welfare Bowl. Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old was the even-money favourite to end his season on a high note, having previously chased home Gaelic Warrior in the blue riband at Prestbury Park. Despite some imperfect jumping throughout the three-mile-one-furlong journey, he regained his composure turning for home and delivered his best leap of the race two fences from home, which was the same obstacle that led to the downfall of the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe. With his exit, Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville found themselves alone at the front, ultimately crossing the post with a 16-length lead over Dan Skelton's gallant veteran Protektorat, who finished well ahead of the only other finisher, Pic D'Orhy. Spillane's Tower was disappointingly pulled up. Henderson and De Boinville quickly recovered from the disappointment of odds-on favourite Lulamba unseating his rider in the preceding race. The Seven Barrows handler noted, 'Might Bite was second in the Gold Cup and came here to win this. He was a rogue, but this horse isn't.' When questioned about any doubts regarding Jango Baie's quick turnaround from his Gold Cup effort, Henderson added, 'This was the only option really after Cheltenham. We had the extra week this year. It is always hard, but Henry Main rides him and Lulamba every day at home, and I think both of them came here in great shape.' Henderson also expressed his thoughts on Jango Baie's future, stating, 'The King George and the Gold Cup are the two obvious races for him again next season, they have to be - I can't see any reason to change.' Dan Skelton felt incredibly proud of Protektorat in defeat, saying, 'For a brief moment, it looked like he had them in trouble, but fair play to the younger horse. What a horse Protektorat is, that is how you want to live your life, go out and race and love your job as much as he does.' Skelton plans to give Protektorat a break before considering his options for next year, potentially including the Fleur de Lys Chase. Brighterdaysahead relished the step up in trip to showcase her best once again on Merseyside and secure William Hill Aintree Hurdle glory. Gordon Elliott's star mare had previously secured top honours over this course and distance as a novice in 2024 but has since predominantly raced over shorter distances, where she has been one of the standout performers in the two-mile hurdling division. After coming off second best in another tussle with Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, she was sent off the 13-8 favourite to gain compensation in the hands of Jack Kennedy and was always towards the fore alongside Potters Charm. Having led the runners into the home straight and over three flights from home, Dan Skelton's The New Lion emerged on the scene looking a real danger in the hands of the trainer's brother, Harry. However, a costly error at the last put paid to his chances, allowing Brighterdaysahead to scoot clear for a two-and-a-quarter-length success in what could turn out to be her hurdling swansong. Elliott said, 'She's the apple of all our eyes. We're rebuilding, we're trying to find a few more of these, and in fairness to Michael (O'Leary, owner), he's investing, but it just might take a bit longer.' Elliott is leading the race to be champion trainer in Ireland but was winning his second Grade One of the afternoon in the UK, which has likely weakened his hand for the upcoming Punchestown Festival. Elliott noted, 'To be honest, I'm lucky to be in the position I'm in, I've been second to Willie Mullins 13 times now. I think I'm still three or four years off, and to be in the same sentence as him is great, but I'm a long way off beating him yet.' Of The New Lion, Skelton said, 'I'm not crestfallen, just a bit frustrated we didn't get a (good) jump at the last. If we'd got a jump at the last and couldn't get by the winner, then fair play.' Skelton felt that The New Lion is very comfortable at two miles, especially on slow ground against UK opposition, and may consider stepping him up in trip next season. Koktail Divin bounced back from defeat at Cheltenham as Lulamba came unstuck in the William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree. Ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe for Henry de Bromhead, the 3-1 chance raced handily throughout in a field of five, in which Nicky Henderson's Lulamba was the 1-2 favourite. However, Lulamba and Nico de Boinville parted company at the 10th fence, and while 22-1 shot Blueking d'Oroux led, he had Brown Advisory non-stayer Koktail Divin in his slipstream, and it was the latter who pressed on to prevail by two and a quarter lengths. De Bromhead said, 'That's a great start. Darragh was brilliant on him, I thought they went a real good gallop, and he jumps amazing.' De Bromhead plans to give Koktail Divin a break before considering his options for next year, possibly starting at Down Royal in the race for second-season novices. Paul Nicholls said of the runner-up, 'It was an unbelievable run considering he made a crucial mistake three out. He's getting better now he's jumping better, he's more assured, and I think a step up to three miles next year will suit him.' Henderson was left cursing a lack of options after Lulamba finished the race fit and fresh - albeit without De Boinville in the saddle. He said, 'He's so fresh, but we've got nowhere to go, have we? I didn't put him in anything at Punchestown because there isn't a race for him, you've only got two miles or three miles. He's as fresh as anything, and he actually won the race - he sprinted up the run-in. Unfortunately, there wasn't a jockey on his back.' Mange Tout refused to be beaten in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree. Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, the filly was a 5-1 chance as she turned up at the meeting fresh, having last been seen in February. In a field of 10, she was always travelling, and after taking up the lead, she fought off a challenge from Triumph Hurdle fourth Selma De Vary (9-4 favourite) to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Elliott said, 'I thought Jack gave her a great ride. She was very keen in Leopardstown, and we probably rode her to win rather than getting her to settle, and it just told.' Elliott plans to give Mange Tout a break before considering her options for next year, possibly including a switch to chasing. Jockey Paul Townend said of the Willie Mullins-trained Selma De Vary, 'She ran another good race. There was nothing much between her and the winner when they met at Leopardstown, and there was very little between them again.' Adrian Keatley was delighted with Indian River, who outran his odds of 25-1 in third, saying, 'It was a good run. We didn't bring him here just for the sake of it, just like we didn't take him to Cheltenham for the sake of it, either. We always thought he was a fair horse, even though it looked like we had a bit to find.' Keatley plans to give Indian River a break before considering his options for next year, possibly including a run or two on the Flat.