Henderson taking nothing for granted with Jango Baie

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie will seek richly deserved compensation at Aintree on Thursday in the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase.

A winner of the Arkle before placing at this meeting as a novice last term, the seven-year-old has stepped into open company with aplomb this season, following up a stylish winning return at Ascot with honourable runs in defeat in both a King George for the ages and when best of the rest behind Gaelic Warrior last month.

He now bids to end his campaign on a high in a race the Seven Barrows handler has won with both Might Bite (2018) and Shishkin (2023) in the last 10 years.

“It would be lovely if he could end his season on a high and he probably deserves one after his runs in the King George and Gold Cup,” said Henderson.

“He ran a great race at Cheltenham, but then they don’t dish out these races because you deserve one.

“He’s stepped up this year and has become a member of our A team and he can only do one thing and that is improve.”

Interestingly the biggest threat could be provided by Willie Mullins’ Impaire Et Passe, who finished ahead of Jango Baie here 12 months ago, but did disappoint in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival most recently.

Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower is another possible Irish contender, albeit he is also declared for Saturday’s Randox Grand National, while Henderson’s team know all about Paul Nicholls’ admirable servant Pic d’Orhy who fought out the finish of the Ascot Chase with Jonbon when last seen.

The field of five is complete by Dan Skelton’s evergreen Protektorat, who passed the £1million prize-money mark at Windsor when defending his Fleur de Lys Chase crown in January and has since bolted up at Kelso in preparation for this.

Second to Jonbon at this meeting last season and only once outside the top three on Merseyside, Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton is expecting another bold bid.

He said: “We missed Cheltenham this year and have come here fresh. He’s getting older, I know, but he doesn’t appear to be weakening in his ability.

“I think it’s interesting that we’re coming here fresh while a few of the others have been to Cheltenham. He looks fantastic, and it’s a pleasure to be able to run him.

“He’s done well at the track in the past, and won a Grade One here. He’s been second in the Melling Chase the past two years, and I think he’ll go really well.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the others and obviously there’s a horse that finished second in the Gold Cup in Jango Baie, so you’ve got to respect them. But I do think Protektorat will run his best race.”