Jango Baie gains Cheltenham compensation with Bowl glory

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie went one better at Aintree when 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, having valiantly chased home Gaelic Warrior in the blue riband at Prestbury Park.

While his jumping was far from perfect for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey, he 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, who was in turn well clear of the only other finisher Pic D’Orhy. Spillane’s Tower was disappointingly pulled up.

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.

“It was tough for Nico, when you have what happened to Lulamba and then have to come straight into another Grade One. To pick yourself up, that’s testament to a Grade One jockey.”

When asked if he had any doubts about turning Jango Baie out again so soon from his Gold Cup effort, Henderson added: “This was the only option really after Cheltenham. We had the extra week 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.

“You couldn’t believe what Gaelic Warrior did at Cheltenham, it was ridiculous. I don’t know which bunch of trees he was hiding behind for the first lap because you’d swear he jumped in somewhere!

“The King George and the Gold Cup are the two obvious races for him (Jango Baie) again next season, 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, 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. To do what he does at his age is phenomenal. I’m very proud of him.

“We’ll give a start next year and see how it goes and if at any point he says he’s had enough we’ll listen to him.

“If we get to the point where we can get to the Fleur de Lys Chase that will be his last run anyway.

“If it rains he can go for the Charlie Hall, if not somewhere else, and then we’ll have a go at Windsor for his final day.”