Jango Baie Secures Victory in the Racing Welfare Bowl at Aintree

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie claimed a triumphant win at Aintree, taking full advantage of Impaire Et Passe's fall in the Racing Welfare Bowl. Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old, the even-money favorite, ended his season on a high note after valiantly chasing home Gaelic Warrior in the blue riband at Prestbury Park. Although his jumping was imperfect for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey, Jango Baie produced his best leap of the race two fences from home, the same obstacle where Impaire Et Passe fell. This left Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville alone, and they crossed the finish line with a 16-length lead over Dan Skelton's gallant veteran Protektorat. Henderson and De Boinville swiftly made up for the loss of odds-on favorite Lulamba in the preceding race. Henderson 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 asked about turning Jango Baie out again so soon after 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 believes the King George and the Gold Cup are the two obvious races for Jango Baie next season, saying, 'They have to be - I can't see any reason to change. The same horses will be with us, and we'll just have to see, but it's got to be the same plan I would think.' Dan Skelton felt incredibly proud of Protektorat in defeat, stating, '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 and then consider the Fleur de Lys Chase as his final run. 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 honors over this course and distance as a novice in 2024. After coming off second best in another tussle with Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, she was sent off as the 13-8 favorite to gain compensation in the hands of Jack Kennedy. 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, he's investing, but it just might take a bit longer.' Elliott thinks two and a half miles is probably her ideal trip and believes she will go chasing next year. 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 and prevailed 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.' 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 and fought off a challenge from Triumph Hurdle fourth Selma De Vary 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 keep her for next year, possibly starting her over fences.