Cheltenham Gold Cup second-place finisher Jango Baie is poised to top a talented lineup on the initial day of the Grand National event at Aintree this Thursday.
The seven-year-old under Nicky Henderson’s care enters as the odds-on favourite in the Racing Welfare Bowl, which stands as one of four Grade 1 contests scheduled for the day.
The horse aims to secure its maiden Grade 1 success over three miles, following a strong showing in the King George at Kempton last December and then placing eight lengths adrift of Gaelic Warrior in March’s Cheltenham Festival feature.
In this field, Jango Baie meets only four rivals, among them the Irish raider Spillane’s Tower – absent from the Gold Cup – representing Jimmy Mangan.
Willie Mullins enters Impaire Et Passe, the contender who underperformed in the Ryanair Chase.
Dan Skelton, currently ahead in the British jumps trainers’ standings for the season, prepares Protektorat, joined by the fellow eleven-year-old Pic D’Orhy.
The runners-up from Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle are also entered for Thursday’s Aintree Hurdle. Brighterdaysahead trailed impressive victor Lossiemouth by six lengths yet edged out The New Lion for second position.
These two meet again for the second occasion, now over an extra half-mile, alongside 2024 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace and El Fabiolo, who boasts four top-level triumphs.
Lulamba increases in trip to 2m3f following a defeat as the market choice in the Cheltenham Festival’s Arkle, contesting the Manifesto Novices’ Chase.
Selma De Vary tops the betting for the Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, seeking to overturn her Triumph Hurdle result against Maestro Conti and Minella Study.
Explore the top racing odds for the Racing Welfare Bowl at Australian betting sites.