Opening day of Aintree Grand National boasts Jango Baie at the forefront
Jango Baie, who was runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, will anchor a high-class opening day of the Grand National fixture at Aintree on Thursday.
This Nicky Henderson-prepared seven-year-old stands as the heavy favourite for the Racing Welfare Bowl, part of four Grade 1 events on the programme.
The gelding seeks its initial Grade 1 win at three miles, after nearly winning the King George at Kempton in December and ending eight lengths behind Gaelic Warrior in the key March Cheltenham Festival race.
Jango Baie takes on a small field of four others, featuring Irish entry Spillane's Tower – who skipped the Gold Cup – trained by Jimmy Mangan.
Willie Mullins sends out Impaire Et Passe, the horse that failed to deliver in the Ryanair Chase.
Leading the British trainers' jumps title this term, Dan Skelton runs Protektorat, with Pic D'Orhy, another eleven-year-old, also in the mix.
On Thursday, the pair that filled the placings in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham appear in the Aintree Hurdle. Brighterdaysahead finished six lengths back from dominant winner Lossiemouth but nosed ahead of The New Lion for runner-up spot.
The duo face off once more, stretched by half a mile, joined by Golden Ace, the 2024 Champion Hurdle champion, and four-time Grade 1 scorer El Fabiolo.
After running as beaten favourite in the Arkle at Cheltenham Festival, Lulamba stretches to 2m3f in the Manifesto Novices' Chase.
The Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle sees Selma De Vary as favourite, aiming to turn around Triumph Hurdle placings with Maestro Conti and Minella Study.
Find competitive betting markets for the race featuring Jango Baie among the best online bookmakers.
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