Jango Baie
This year's Manifesto Chase could be a good pointer to the future, as it often is, with a roll of honour that includes Banbridge and Protektorat. There could be more to come from runner-up Gidleigh Park too, and there could be much more to come from Jango Baie. Nicky Henderson's horse was travelling well just behind the leaders when he made a mistake at the second last fence in the back straight final time. It didn't look like a significant error at the time, and there wasn't a lot made of it, possibly partly because he was partly obscured from the main camera's view, but it probably upset his rhythm and it always looked like he was playing catch-up after that. Only sixth then as they rounded the home turn, he came under a ride after the third last fence and Gidleigh Park and Impaire Et Passe still travelled well on the bridle. The pacier horses got away from him on the run across to the final fence, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which he stayed on up the run-in to take third place, just over a length behind the winner.
It is still remarkable that Jango Baie was able to win the Arkle, coming from a highly improbable position. Of course, he was helped by Majborough's significant error at the last, but he still had to go and win the race. He wasn't the beneficiary of a pace collapse, as a finishing speed of 104% of overall speed suggests. He was never really thought of as a two-mile chaser. His two runs over fences before Cheltenham were both over two and a half miles, and he would have run in the Grade 1 two-and-a-half-mile chase at Cheltenham if it hadn't been discontinued from this year. Indeed, if his stable companion Sir Gino had lined up in the Arkle, as was the plan, he probably would have run in the Brown Advisory Chase over three miles.
The early pace in the Manifesto Chase was not strong, the winner's finishing speed was over 107% of overall speed, and that was not a help to Jango Baie. He left the impression that he would benefit from another step up in trip, and it was interesting that Nicky Henderson said afterwards that he could be a King George horse. That is a legitimate target, as is next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he is a big price now. He is only six, and he has the potential to improve considerably next season as a staying chaser.
Aintree, 3rd April 2025
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