Racing Welfare Bowl Chase |
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| Grade 1, Aintree 14:55 £250,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 210y, Class 1  |
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1 Jango Baie 1/1F
2
Protektorat 5/1
3 Pic d'Orhy 12/1
5 ran Distances: 16l, 24l
Time: 6m 21.35s (slow by 8.85s)
Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie coasts home in the £250,000 Grade 1 @Racingwelfare Bowl Chase 👏@AintreeRaces | @sevenbarrows pic.twitter.com/bH2gAP8sf5
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 9, 2026
There are occasions at Aintree when fortune plays its part, but more often than not it is earned rather than gifted, and Jango Baie’s victory fell somewhere between the two.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old arrived here with his reputation enhanced rather than diminished by a fine effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he had chased home Gaelic Warrior with credit. That performance set the standard, but it also posed a question: could he reproduce that level so soon, and in a race that would ask different questions of his jumping and rhythm?
For much of the contest, the answer appeared uncertain. His fencing lacked the fluency one might have hoped for, and in a race of this nature, those small inefficiencies can quickly become magnified. Yet turning for home he remained firmly in contention, still travelling, still within himself, and when it mattered most he delivered his most assured leap of the race.
It was at that same obstacle that the complexion of the race changed decisively. Impaire Et Passe, travelling with purpose and looking every inch a major threat, came down two out, leaving Jango Baie clear of his rivals and able to assert his authority. From there, the outcome was never in doubt, the margin at the line — 16 lengths — reflecting both his superiority and the circumstances.
Behind him, Protektorat once again underlined his admirable consistency, rallying gamely to finish second, well clear of Pic D’Orhy, while Spillane’s Tower failed to play a part.
For Henderson and Nico de Boinville, it was a swift and welcome reversal of fortune following the earlier mishap with Lulamba, and the trainer was quick to draw a comparison with a familiar name.
“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.”
The decision to return so quickly after Cheltenham had not been taken lightly, but it was one shaped as much by circumstance as by ambition.
“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.”
If Jango Baie represents the future, Protektorat continues to embody the virtues of durability and enthusiasm, his performance here a reminder that experience still has its place at the highest level.
“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.”
In the end, this was a race shaped both by incident and by class. Jango Baie took full advantage when the opportunity presented itself, but he had already placed himself in the position to do so, and that, perhaps, is the most telling detail of all.
Aintree Bowl Chase
£250,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 210y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good to Soft
Aintree Bowl - Previous Winners
2025 Gaelic Warrior
2024 Gerri Colombe
2023 Shishkin
2022 Clan Des Obeaux
2021 Clan Des Obeaux
2020 ABANDONED due to Covid-19
2019 Kemboy
2018 Might Bite
2017 Tea For Two
2016 Cue Card
2015 Silviniaco Conti
2014 Silviniaco Conti
2013 First Lieutenant, Gigginstown House Stud, Mouse Morris IRE 08-11-07 Bryan Cooper 7/2
2012 Follow The Plan, Redgap Partnership, Oliver McKlernan IRE 09-11-07 Tom Doyle 50/1
2011 Nacarat, Simon W Clarke, Tom George 10-11-07 Paddy Brennan 7/2
