Jango Baie Claims Victory in the Racing Welfare Bowl at Aintree

Jango Baie, the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up, achieved a triumphant win at Aintree by taking full advantage of a fall from Impaire Et Passe in the Racing Welfare Bowl. Trained by Nicky Henderson, the seven-year-old was the even-money favourite to conclude his season on a high note, having valiantly chased 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 was back on the bridle turning for home and produced his best leap of the race two fences from home, the same obstacle at which the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe came to grief when travelling stylishly. His exit left Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville out on their own, and he passed the post with 16 lengths in hand over Dan Skelton's gallant veteran Protektorat. Henderson and De Boinville were gaining swift compensation after odds-on favourite Lulamba unseated his rider in the preceding race, and the Seven Barrows handler said: 'Might Bite was second in the Gold Cup and came here to win this. He was a rogue, but this horse isn't.' Henderson added that he had no doubts about turning Jango Baie out again so soon from his Gold Cup effort, citing the extra week this year and the horse's great shape. The King George and the Gold Cup are the two obvious races for Jango Baie again next season. 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.' Skelton plans to give Protektorat a start next year and see how it goes, with the possibility of running in the Fleur de Lys Chase as his final race. 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 secured top honours over this course and distance as a novice in 2024 but has since predominantly raced over shorter distances. 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. However, a costly error at the last put paid to The New Lion's 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, 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. Of The New Lion, Skelton said: 'I'm not crestfallen, just a bit frustrated we didn't get a good jump at the last.' Skelton plans to stick to hurdling next season and have a discussion about The New Lion's future over the summer. 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 bring Koktail Divin back next year, possibly 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.' Nicholls thinks a step up to three miles next year will suit the runner-up. Henderson was left cursing a lack of options after Lulamba finished the race fit and fresh - albeit without De Boinville in the saddle. 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 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 go chasing with Mange Tout next year and possibly run her in a four-year-old only race at Cheltenham in October.